The Colombian government’s energy transition has delivered measurable results, rising from 2% renewables in 2022 to nearly 14% by late 2025, with solar and wind central to this progress. The initiative includes pilot projects like the photovoltaic plant in Tamalameque, Cesar, delivering power to vulnerable communities, and the recent inauguration of a solar-powered facility in Isla Grande aimed at extending 24-hour electricity service. Energy access improvements are complemented by integrating desalination systems powered by solar to supply potable water to Caribbean islands, enhancing public health and economic conditions.
The “Colombia Solar” program transforms existing electricity subsidies into incentives for residential panel installations, targeting low-income households to promote self-generation and alleviate utility expenses. The Ministry of Mines and Energy supports the model through new tariff formulas designed to reduce bills by removing reliance on gas price indices that inflate costs. Additionally, the government considers acquiring struggling Caribbean power distributor Air-e to stabilize service and lead solar infrastructure expansion.
While emergency measures like temporary surcharges are in place to address accumulated debts and immediate network deficiencies, the administration’s focus is on systemic reform. Upcoming technical evaluations and regulatory adjustments are critical to avoid capacity bottlenecks and to ensure the region’s grid can integrate the surge of distributed and utility-scale solar power efficiently, aiming for a more sustainable, equitable Caribbean energy future underpinned by clean technology.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
