Currently, the energy transition has taken on significant importance due to the climate crisis facing the planet. According to studies by the United Nations, it is urgent to limit the global temperature increase to no more than 1.5 °C to avoid critical climate impacts.
Colombia, joining this trend, has already begun its transition process and is promoting the generation of electricity and natural gas as more environmentally friendly sources.
What does the energy transition consist of?
The energy transition is a process that aims to reduce carbon emissions and opt for an energy system based on renewable sources. In other words, it is a change in how energy is produced to achieve greater sustainability. This shift involves replacing fuels such as coal and oil (fossil fuels) with renewable sources (solar, wind, hydraulic, biomass, or geothermal energy).
At the Climate Change Conference held in 2015, 196 countries signed the Paris Agreement to address climate change and its effects on the planet and society. It has two main objectives:
- To reduce global carbon emissions.
- To limit global warming to less than 2°C.
This limit on global temperature rise is to be achieved by eliminating millions of tons of greenhouse gases emitted daily through the decarbonization of the energy sector.
However, energy changes have occurred throughout history. In the 19th century, the transition from wood to coal took place, and in the 20th century, from coal to oil. What is new in the 21st century is the need to protect the planet from the worst threat humanity has ever faced: climate change.
What are the effects of climate change?
Unfortunately, the impacts of climate change are already noticeable around the world:
- An increase in the Earth’s average temperature of around 1.11 °C since pre-industrial times.
- Forest fires and heat waves.
- Reduced water availability and lower agricultural yields.
- Increased risk of droughts.
- Loss of biodiversity.
- Glaciers reduced by 33.5 meters.
- Record ocean temperatures.
According to the Climate Change Risk Analysis in Colombia, 100% of Colombian municipalities are at some degree of risk from climate change, while by 2040, 59% of the national territory will be at medium to very high risk.
What are the objectives of the energy transition?
The overall objective of this process is to transform the contemporary energy system, based on fossil fuels, to an electric model, based on renewable energies. In particular, the energy transition pursues the following objectives:
- Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through changes in current energy production, distribution, and consumption models.
- Achieve carbon neutrality: Set for 2050, the aim is for the amount of carbon dioxide emissions released to be the same as the amount removed by the planet. To this end, greenhouse gas emissions will be avoided and reduced by offsetting them with the use of carbon credits.
- Improving energy efficiency: Changing society’s habits towards a more efficient model of energy consumption, with electricity being the key factor.
- Promoting innovation: Transforming the current energy system into one that uses renewable energies, a clean and inexhaustible alternative that does not emit GHGs or other pollutants.
- Ensuring sustainable management of energy resources: Greater emphasis is being placed on renewable energies, using less and less fossil fuels and reducing the share of nuclear energy.
- Maintaining competitiveness in the global market: Industries will have to adapt to a production model based on the reuse, renewal, and recycling of materials.
Overview of the energy transition in Colombia
According to data from the Colombian Business Council for Sustainable Development, Colombia is responsible for only 0.60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, although emissions are low compared to other nations, the country is one of the most vulnerable to the effects of this phenomenon, mainly due to deforestation.
In this regard, the government aims to reduce GHG emissions by 51% by 2030, a figure equivalent to 11.2 million tons of carbon dioxide. By 2050, it wants to achieve carbon neutrality. The transportation sector has also been prioritized at the national level with the aim of optimizing logistics and mobility operations, as well as the development of electric transportation.
In 2019, Colombia took a historic leap forward by incorporating renewable energy from non-conventional sources, such as wind and solar. From an installed capacity of 28.2 MW in 2018, this was increased to 725.38 MW by 2022, and is expected to exceed 2,820 MW.
With this installed capacity, the country will go from generating less than 1% of clean energy to producing more than 12% in 2023, which could mean a reduction of up to nine million tons of CO2 in 2030. Colombia is thus diversifying its energy generation to resiliently face climate variability and mitigate the impact of climate change.
Following the same course, the following actions are highlighted in Colombia’s energy policy:
- Auctions that awarded long-term contracts for wind and solar energy projects.
- Development of an attractive regulatory and fiscal framework to promote new energy generation projects.
- Inclusion of new energy sources and technologies in the generation matrix.
- Formulation and implementation of guidelines aimed at strengthening the mining and energy sector.
- Decarbonization of the transportation sector through the use of zero-emission vehicles and the creation of charging stations.
- Acquisition of large-scale battery energy storage systems for later use.
- Regulations that allow distributed energy resources to be incorporated into the electricity grid, benefiting households, industries, and public service operators.
The path has already been set, and according to experts, Colombia will be able to address the challenges of climate change and economic growth if it focuses on three priorities:
- Invest in resilience. This will enable the country to better cope with floods and landslides, without neglecting forest conservation and restoration.
- Reverse the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. There are two priorities in this regard: halting deforestation and reducing both emissions from the livestock sector and the number of hectares required for production. It is also very important to increase renewable energy and the adoption of electric mobility.
- Protect the most vulnerable members of society. It should not be forgotten that some people will suffer income losses when they stop using fossil fuels.
Furthermore, within this process, a fair and equitable energy transition must be sought, offering some kind of benefit to all people and businesses.
Examples of energy transition
Some countries are further along the path, so it is possible to find examples of energy transition:
- Sweden: The number one country making the most progress towards clean energy.
- Denmark: 47% of the electricity produced in 2019 came from renewable sources, and the goal is to reach 100% by 2050.
- Norway: Ranked third in this top ten list.
- Germany: It has phased out the use of nuclear power plants and invested in various energies such as wind, solar, and biomass. As a result, 65% of its energy is expected to come from renewable sources by 2030.
- Costa Rica: 99% of its electricity came from renewable sources in 2019.
- Kenya: It has made great efforts to prepare for the transition by improving its regulatory frameworks and infrastructure.
Benefits of the energy transition
The energy transition also offers opportunities for a more sustainable and prosperous future in several ways:
- Reducing the greenhouse effect to combat climate change.
- Energy security: Solar and wind energy allow countries to be more energy independent and remain more stable and secure.
- Sustainability: Renewable energies are unlimited in relation to human magnitudes.
- Better air quality: Renewable energies generate fewer pollutants.
- Economic development: This process can generate new jobs at all levels.
- Technological innovation: It drives research and development of efficient and clean technologies.
- Resilience: Energy networks based on renewable sources can be more efficient in the face of extreme events.
- Improved public health: A reduction in respiratory diseases, among others, is expected.
Although Colombia has great potential for energy transition, it is important to emphasize the balance that must exist between electricity generation, transmission, and other operations. Changes are not immediate, and moving away from current energy sources does not happen overnight. For this reason, it is essential to develop a solid sector for these renewable energies, which are safer, more efficient, cheaper, and have much less environmental impact than fossil fuels. Learn more about this topic with Industronic and be part of the transformation.
