{"id":7930,"date":"2024-05-29T13:48:21","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T19:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grupoindustronic.com.co\/?p=7930"},"modified":"2025-06-04T12:22:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T18:22:36","slug":"electrical-energy-in-colombia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grupoindustronic.com.co\/en\/electrical-energy-in-colombia\/","title":{"rendered":"From electrical energy to renewable sources in Colombia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Colombia’s electricity generation matrix is one of the cleanest in the world due to the predominance of hydroelectric power as the main source of generation, through reservoirs.<\/p>\n

This has enabled the electricity grid to maintain a low greenhouse gas (GHG) factor compared to the United States, the European Union, and China, where fossil fuels predominate.<\/p>\n

In the Paris Agreement, Colombia committed to \u201creducing 20%<\/b> of its emissions based on a projected scenario for 2030 and even reducing 30%<\/b> if it receives international cooperation,\u201d according to the Colombian Ministry of Environment.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In line with this, the country is focused on diversifying its energy matrix and transitioning to cleaner energies, especially in polluting sectors such as transportation and industry, where production from fossil fuels generates environmental impacts.<\/p>\n

Progress has been made in recent years, although the share of solar and wind energy sources is lower, as shown in the following graph.<\/p>\n

\"colombian<\/p>\n

By 2021, there was a 21.50%<\/b> increase in electricity generation from renewable sources and a 33.94%<\/b> decrease in generation from non-renewable sources compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n

\"source<\/p>\n

Graphic source: Sustainable mobility in developing countries: multimodal and intelligent transport technologies and strategies \/ Ricardo Mej\u00eda Guti\u00e9rrez, academic editor. National University of Colombia.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Why is electrical energy so important in our lives?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

What would our lives be like without electrical energy? When we flip a switch in our homes, the electrical circuit closes to connect one point to another. Charged particles or electrons move between these points when there is a difference in power between them. This generates an electric current and then light.<\/p>\n

This circuit, made up of a network of wires, is designed to carry electrical current from the power source, which may be the public grid or a private company.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, electrical power systems are responsible for three fundamental components: generation, transmission, and distribution. Around the world, these systems are experiencing a strong penetration of renewable energy.<\/p>\n

Thus, since the beginning of the century, efforts have been made to close fossil fuel power plants, such as coal-fired plants, and replace them with natural gas plants due to their low GHG impact and public health concerns.<\/p>\n

One of the challenges facing hydroelectric power generation is climate change and the effects of the El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon (a period of intense summer heat), which significantly reduces the water reserves available in reservoirs.<\/p>\n

In fact, in January 2024, Acolgen<\/b><\/a> warned of this decrease in reserves (from 73%<\/b> in December to 57%<\/b> in January this year) and the possibility of energy rationing in several areas of Colombia.<\/p>\n

These cuts, even if scheduled, affect the supply and quality of energy in homes and businesses.<\/p>\n

How do non-conventional renewable energies work?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

According to the book Sustainable Mobility in Developing Countries: Multimodal and Intelligent Transport Technologies and Strategies, <\/i>each type is described as follows.<\/p>\n