Senator Juan Espinal calls for energy conservation in Colombia

Senator Juan Espinal, president of the Senate's Fifth Commission, has urged the Colombian government, mayors, and governors to evaluate the installation of Christmas lights this year. The call for caution comes amid concerns regarding electricity supply, rising demand, and the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

Espinal noted that new power generation and transmission projects are not advancing at the necessary pace to meet growing demand. He warned that the combination of El Niño and delayed infrastructure projects could lead to energy rationing risks between December 2026 and April 2027.

While not calling for a nationwide suspension of holiday decorations, the senator suggested that local authorities consider energy-saving alternatives, such as using LED lighting or reducing the scale of displays. He also encouraged citizens to practice responsible consumption of both water and electricity to mitigate pressure on the national grid.