The country advances in the challenge of decarbonizing its economy, for which it established a roadmap that estimates that by 2030, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions will be reduced by 51% and be carbon neutral in 2050. This requires an important articulation between actors from sectors such as energy, transport, construction or agriculture, which are intensive in emissions.
(Read: Price of energy has grown 25% in one year).
This requires that energy and fuel generation and consumption tend to come from low or zero emission sources. This has led to clean fuels, such as green hydrogen are central to the discussion.
Colombia currently has two projects producing this type of energy and another 10 that are under development. Additionally, the Fund for Non-Conventional Energies and Efficient Energy Management (Fenoge) closed a call to finance more than $6.5 billion to 10 projects and nine firms for the development of green and blue hydrogen works.
Thus, the country consolidates itself as one of the most advanced in the region in terms of its implementation. In fact, there is only one country that has more production projects, and that is Chile.
This is reflected in the H2 LAC Index 2022, which shows that Colombia is the second country in the region with the greatest progress. The first is Chile, which has a score of 65 out of a possible 100, followed by Colombia with 57.
This index is prepared by New Energy and Hinicio with the aim of measuring the development of this technology in the country, as well as Provide information that allows generating discussion spaces around the progress in this matter.
Juan Pablo Zúñiga, founding member of Hinicio, explained that in one year, Colombia went from being fifth in this development to second. Among the reasons that explain this is the launch of the roadmap for this type of energy, as well as the development of the ecosystem and the number of projects both in operation and in development.
green hydrogen
istock
Karen Peralta, director of Andi’s Hydrogen Chamber, explained that the great leap occurred in the consolidation of the institutional framework that defined the goals and also assigned the competences to each Ministry for the advancement in this roadmap.
This is one of the country’s differentials compared to a year ago and to other countries in the region.
The expert also highlighted the relevance of the pilots that are moving forward, as well as other works in progress. This is linked to a strategy of the companies themselves regarding the adoption of hydrogen in their own transition strategies. All this is also given by the fact that there is a high potential for exploiting this type of energy.
Mónica Gasca, director of Hydrogen Colombia, points out that this makes the country one of the five most competitive in the world.
The experts agree that tax incentives have also led the country to make great strides in the maturity of this market. “ANDHydrogen was defined as a non-conventional renewable source of energy, with which it received the benefits of Law 1715Peralta pointed out.
For his part, Gasca considered that this demonstrates significant political will, given that it is added to all the other steps taken by the Government. Thus, Colombia could have the third lowest price of producing a kilo of this energy: US$1.7.
(Read: ‘Symbolic cut’, the decision of Opec + to stabilize markets).
“There are still challenges to face, such as the development of local capacities through innovation, as well as creating a boost to demand and a good regulatory environment that encourage more hydrogen,” concluded Peralta. With this, the country will be able to compete with others like Chile, which has a great advance.
Daniela Morales Soler
