In March 2022, Ecopetrol launched a landmark pilot project at the Cartagena refinery (Reficar) to produce and utilize green hydrogen. An electrolizer powered by 270 solar panels generates about 20 kilograms of ultra-pure hydrogen daily by splitting industrial wastewater, a first-of-its-kind industrial application in Colombia. The hydrogen fuels a Toyota Mirai sedan, recently imported from the United States, marking the debut of hydrogen-powered vehicles in South America. The Mirai boasts up to 650 kilometers of range per fill and can be refueled in approximately three minutes, positioning it as a zero-emission alternative suited to local conditions.
Alongside the Mirai, Ecopetrol partnered with the Fábrica Nacional de Autopartes (Fanalca) to retrofit a TransMilenio bus with hydrogen fuel cell technology capable of carrying 50 passengers. These pilots aim to gather vital data on operational dynamics, fuel production, and infrastructure needs, laying the groundwork for large-scale adoption.
Private sector efforts mirror this momentum. Medellín-based Hevolución, a hydrogen producer formerly known as Opex, imported a Hyundai Nexo hydrogen SUV in late 2021, which has been circulating on Antioquia’s roads since February 2022. Their onsite ‘Andes’ hydrogen refueling station exemplifies the complete value chain—from water electrolysis to mobility deployment. Hevolución is working towards commissioning a plant projected to produce 1,000 kilograms of hydrogen daily by early 2023, targeting industrial clients eager to transition fleets to hydrogen.
Meanwhile, established Colombian companies are innovating within existing logistics frameworks. A recent pilot involving Postobón and its transportation operator Edinsa, in collaboration with Renting Colombia and academic partners Universidad de Antioquia and Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, retrofitted ten tractor trucks with hydrogen cell technology. Tested extensively through varied terrains—including mountainous Antioquia and the plains of Valle del Cauca—the pilots yielded up to 7% fuel savings and a reduction of 91 tons of CO2 emissions annually. Results showed particular efficiency in challenging geographies, underscoring hydrogen’s promise in Colombia’s diverse topography.
On an international scale, Colombian firm Promigas finalized a memorandum of understanding with Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Corporation to explore hydrogen mobility markets in Colombia and Peru. This partnership leverages Promigas’ expertise in renewable gases with Sumitomo’s global energy infrastructure capabilities, starting with feasibility studies and commercial pilot evaluations.
Colombia’s government supports these multiple fronts through incentives encouraging renewable energy development, aiming to produce 1-3 gigawatts of green hydrogen capacity by 2030. The country envisions hydrogen’s role beyond terrestrial vehicles toward maritime, rail, and even aviation sectors. A strategic goal is to export hydrogen regionally by 2040, positioning Colombia as Latin America’s leading supplier.
While hydrogen’s logistical complexity and lower production efficiency compared to battery electric vehicles present challenges, Colombia’s investments highlight a broad-based approach to decarbonize transportation. Existing infrastructure expansions, international collaborations, and pioneering pilots demonstrate the country’s resolve to integrate hydrogen fuel cell technology into its energy and transport matrix, offering a complementary pathway to electrification for sustainable mobility.
As these projects mature, the coming years will reveal hydrogen’s practical viability across Colombia’s unique geography and industry needs, shaping a multi-modal, low-emission future.
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This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
