The Colombian government has announced 15 measures to confront the latest stage of the El Niño phenomenon, which has raised concerns about potential energy rationing in the country. These measures aim to prevent a critical condition in the country’s water and energy systems, as recent rains have not been sufficient to replenish reservoirs, bringing the nation close to rationing.
On Thursday, the Ministers of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho, and of Environment, Susana Muhamad, unveiled these additional measures. These actions supplement those already announced in cities like Bogotá, which implemented water rationing last Thursday. According to the Minister of Mines, these measures seek to prevent the country’s water and energy systems from reaching a critical condition.
“The latest calculations from Ideam show that, indeed, we will have abundant rainfall across the country this weekend, more or less between Thursday and next Monday. However, the last two weeks of April, which were expected to be above average, do not seem to actually be exceeding the norm,” said Environment Minister Susana Muhamad.
The 15 Measures Include:
- Surveillance and Control: The Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Superintendence of Public Services will strengthen inspection, monitoring, and permanent surveillance actions on the activities of all agents in the national energy system. Visits to hydroelectric plants, thermal generators, and support for energy dispatch operations will continue.
- Weekly Schedule Publication: A weekly schedule of visits to system agents will be published by the Energy Directorate alongside the Superintendence of Public Services.
- Communication: Actions will be communicated to all companies to expand information on the status of operations and efficiently coordinate this final stage of the climatic emergency.
- Regulations: Regulations will be issued to facilitate the entry of more energy into the system and efficient dispatch by the system operator.
- Natural Gas Availability: Decree 0484 was issued this week to facilitate the availability of natural gas for electricity demand during low hydrology periods.
- Renewable Energy Obligation: Resolution 40132 obliges all renewable energy generation to make all available energy accessible.
- Cash Flow Regulation: Regulation will be issued to improve the cash flow of marketers and ensure the satisfaction of final user demand.
- Incentives for Self-Generation: Regulation will be issued to incentivize self-generation and existing generation to increase energy production.
- System Efficiency Measures: The CREG is currently studying other regulatory measures to improve system efficiency and encourage energy savings.
- Increased System Capacity: Efforts are underway to bring the Termocentro Thermal Plant into operation by Monday, providing an additional 272 MW to the national electrical system.
- Renewable Energy Utilization: By utilizing renewable generation and available energy from large consumers, system capacity will increase by at least 100 MW.
- Early Entry of Renewable Projects: The CREG will facilitate the early entry of renewable energy projects into the energy system, providing an additional approximately 100 MW.
- Consumption Reduction Target: A goal is set to achieve a 4% reduction in consumption through energy-efficient use.
- Incentives for Energy Conservation: Incentives will be provided for efficient demand use and promotion of disconnection from the industrial demand system with backup plants.
- Citizen Energy Conservation Incentives: Incentives will be provided to citizens who conserve energy by reducing their consumption.