Colombia energy sector faces demand surges and investment needs

Colombia faces significant challenges regarding energy supply and demand, according to industry leaders. Natalia Gutiérrez, president of Acolgen, warned that the country requires urgent investments in generation and transmission to meet rising demand. She noted that Colombia's per capita energy consumption remains below half of the global average, suggesting that reaching even the levels of Chile would require annual investments of approximately $10 trillion pesos to ensure energy security.

Gutiérrez also highlighted concerns over low reservoir levels, noting that rainfall in August and September has remained well below historical averages. This lack of water, combined with insufficient growth in thermal and wind generation capacity, poses a risk to the national grid.

Simultaneously, the gastronomic sector in regions like Santa Marta is struggling with high electricity costs. Paola Narváez Uribe, executive director of Acodres Magdalena, stated that energy can account for up to 35% of a restaurant's operating costs. She cautioned that energy reduction programs mandated by the CREG must account for the essential nature of electricity for maintaining cold chains, food preservation, and climate control in warm climates, arguing that ‘saving cannot mean turning off a cold room’.