The government of Gustavo Petro has put in the public policy debate an important change regarding the energy mining sector, since it proposes a change towards a less “extractivist” economy.
(They demand the appointment of the Minister of Mines and Energy, Irene Vélez).
In this context, Irene Vélez was commissioned with the Minister of Mines and Energy and, in an interview with Portafolio, the leader explained the work she is carrying out on fronts such as mining, hydrocarbons and energy.
When do you expect there to be a decline in energy prices?
In accordance with the schedule for compliance with the Pact for Tariff Justice, the process of adjusting the tariff methodologies and energy contracts has already begun, and the process that seeks to adjust the settlement of tariff charges has begun so that, in October , the updates of the publications of the monthly rates are given. We hope that between November and December Colombians will begin to see the decrease.
Are they going to look for some form of additional subsidy to those that already exist for this service?
There are subsidies of 50, 40 and 15%, but since 2016 there has been an exceptionality of 60, 50 and 15%, and we have asked that these percentages be maintained in the Budget proposal that is currently being discussed in Congress.
Could the round of coal continue through the areas of La Jagua and Calenturitas?
The Coal Mining Round, which was launched by the National Mining Agency (ANM) in April 2022, was suspended in July to guarantee transparency in the award process. This will allow us to have a full and comprehensive knowledge of the particularities of the process and carry out the analyzes that correspond by law for the adoption of the decisions that may take place.
This was determined by the Court of Cundinamarca, which requests the immediate and temporary suspension of the adjudication process of the areas returned by Prodeco, in order to determine, among others, the status and compliance with environmental obligations. We hope that all the doubts raised by the Court can be clarified and that this will allow a substantive decision to be made.
(Creg intervention is not the solution to tariffs: union council).
When would the fuel increases be given?
Together with the Ministry of Finance, we are evaluating it to determine when and how this adjustment to fuel prices should be made. It is necessary to clarify that price adjustments and their respective updating are under review, since the necessary measures in economic, fiscal and fuel supply assurance matters in the country must be considered. On the other hand, a gradual increase scheme must be defined.
Have you considered mining rounds for metals critical to the transition?
Colombia can take advantage of its potential for the production of copper and polymetallic essential for generation technologies through renewable energies. In this sense, the Geological Service has identified key mineral deposits for the transition with 10 metallogenic districts with prospective copper. Since 2021, and to date, six Strategic Mining Areas for copper have been published. We must review the status of these adjudications, understand if they are in environmental conservation areas, if they are located in the territories of ethnic communities and, in all cases, ensure social welfare and environmental protection.
To speed up this transition, will they hold new renewable energy auctions?
There is a regulation for the energy transition that we are reviewing to adjust it and be able to accelerate this transition process. All this, while we continue working on the design of measures that guarantee the energy security of the country. So this is one of the tools that we’re looking at, but we’re also looking at other ways to promote renewable energy, like distributed generation.
We are proposing the methodology to open up the construction of the national roadmap for the just energy transition. In six months we will deliver it.
(Fitch warns about the idea of intervening in energy rates).
In the event that there are no large gas discoveries, would you promote new exploration contracts?
We are doing an analysis of the hydrocarbon sector, with special attention to the balance of natural gas resources. In this way, the Ministry is on the right track to take advantage of the country’s hydrocarbon potential.
We ratify the commitment of President Gustavo Petro to accelerate the energy transition, without putting energy sovereignty and independence at risk. In addition, the gas is useful for the renewal of the energy matrix. In this sense, the course of the projects planned by the contractors is maintained, focused both on identifying and determining the potential of new resources, as well as on making the reserves already justified for their development commercial.
Daniela Morales Soler
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