[REVISION HISTORY]

Colombia energy crisis: Infrastructure, debt, and El Niño

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2026-10-21 05:30 UTC → 2026-10-25 05:47 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The energy crisis in Colombia has evolved into a structural challenge characterized by a significant natural gas deficit and escalating climate risks. Following a 17.1% contraction in commercial gas production in 2025, imports rose to over 30% of national consumption by July 2026. This vulnerability was compounded in late 2026 when Ecopetrol declared previous gas import contracts void due to unprofitable pricing, forcing thermal generation and domestic consumption to compete for scarce resources. Operational hurdles and financial instability have intensified. While 275 energy projects face ~~delays, the~~ delays of more than one year—with 33 delayed by over four years—the sector faces a massive liquidity crisis. Distributor Air-e faces a debt crisis with arrears totaling approximately $3.3 trillion pesos, ~~including nearly $1 trillion owed to thermal plants TEBSA and Termocandelaria.~~ while Afinia ~~also faces roughly 960~~ reported losses of 390 billion pesos due to the regional crisis in ~~debts owed by~~ the ~~Nation. These financial strains threaten~~ Caribbean. Industry leaders have called for the ~~ability~~ diversification of ~~generators to purchase fuel~~ gas import infrastructure, specifically through new regasification plants, and ~~maintain operations.~~ the addition of 20,000 MW of generation capacity to ensure long-term stability. Climate risks from a very high intensity El Niño phenomenon have led to severe water ~~scarcity and reservoir levels falling below 20-year minimums. In response, the~~ scarcity. IDEAM reports a greater than 90% probability of high intensity through early 2027. To mitigate risks, CREG implemented Resolutions 101 120 and 101 126 of 2026, imposing surcharges on users exceeding consumption targets. ~~These measures have drawn sharp criticism from leaders like Senator Didier Lobo Chinchilla and industry representatives~~ While early reports suggest significant energy savings among lower-income strata in the ~~gastronomy sector, who~~ Caribbean, critics argue ~~that high temperatures~~ these measures disproportionately affect residents in ~~regions like the Caribbean make increased energy use for cooling a necessity for health and food preservation. To prevent system collapse, experts~~ warmer regions. Experts warn that if reservoir levels drop below 30%, energy rationing could ~~cost~~ become necessary, potentially costing the economy ~~between 175 billion and~~ up to 204 billion pesos per ~~hour of outage.~~ hour.

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