The suspended program was launched via Decree 0972 in September 2025 and regulated under Resolution 40159 of 2026. Colombia’s National Council for Economic and Social Policy document 4158 subsequently earmarked 8.35 trillion pesos for the broader initiative between 2026 and 2030, establishing a target of approximately 1.3 million households. The program scope covered design, supply and installation of photovoltaic systems for users in socioeconomic strata one through three—the lowest income tiers—connected to the National Interconnected System across Atlántico, Bolívar, Cesar, Norte de Santander, Santander, Antioquia, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Chocó, La Guajira, Magdalena, Córdoba and Sucre departments.
A separate 164 billion peso procurement process managed by the Fund for Non-Conventional Energy and Efficient Energy Management was cancelled in August following scrutiny from the Inspector General’s Office. That process, distinct from the Gecelca agreement, covered implementation, operation, maintenance and monitoring of photovoltaic systems.
The solar program suspension coincides with Colombia and the United States signing two memoranda of understanding in Barranquilla covering strategic minerals and civil nuclear cooperation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella formalized the non-binding nuclear framework, which establishes provisions for technical exchanges, regulatory capacity building, workforce training, scientific research and assessments of nuclear technology applications for energy security. The Ministry of Mines and Energy characterized the memorandum as opening “technical, gradual and responsible dialogue” on nuclear applications. The agreement does not authorize construction of nuclear reactors, identify specific projects, locations, technologies, capacities or timelines, nor does it permit US export of nuclear materials or equipment, which would require a Section 123 agreement under the US Atomic Energy Act.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
