Accelerating the energy transition implies that the new government must take measures so that non-conventional renewable generation technologies (Fncer) such as solar and wind have incentives. About Germán Corredor, director of SER ColombiaRenewable Energy Association, expressed that a series of challenges remain in the sector.
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How has the progress in connecting energy from renewable sources been?
Direct entry into commercial operation to date is 180 megawatts (MW) installed in small and medium-scale projects. They are basically solar projects, which have been developed by private initiative, with bilateral contracts. Of course, there is the progress of the projects awarded in the auction that are not yet in operation and some of which have already begun construction. Some are waiting for the construction of the Collector line, which is behind schedule and could start in 2025, to advance.
There are small and medium projects that continue to be developed in the country. There is an important piece of information and that is that Upme closed its analysis for the award of projects with more than 800 applications, most of them renewable energies. All these issues are advancing and although we want more projects to come into operation, when the big ones come in, they will have a great impact on the matrix.
What projection do you have about participation in the coming years?
With the cut to 2026, we can finish between 15% and 20%, because a significant part of the projects awarded through auctions fall within this period. Additionally, for what is done outside of auctions there is progress and the Government is interested in promoting the issue even more and one would expect another boost to these projects to reach at least 20% of the matrix. That will depend on the policies of this Government, if it decides to hold a new auction, but so far the intention that has been expressed is to promote the entry of these new projects.
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Are you worried about the delay in the entry of the Collector?
La Colectora is already behind schedule compared to what was initially planned and therefore affects some of the projects that are going to be connected to it. The only thing we hope is that it does not delay more than the date that has already been defined. The issue is that they are still in preliminary consultations so that later they can be granted the environmental license and at that moment start construction.
The companies are normally very efficient in the construction of these works, because they already have a lot of experience in the matter, so we hope that they can even increase the date. If it is delayed more it would already be worrying.
What should be done to prevent companies from having penalties such as losing the reliability charge?
It seems to me that at least it should be analyzed. Obviously this is the responsibility of a third party and not the generator, so it would be necessary to see how the issue is analyzed, taking into account that without the Collector they cannot start operating. It would be a bit unfair to generators who are not responsible for delays.
How do you think the energy transition could be accelerated and reliability maintained?
The transition has a renewable energy component; For this, projects of different scales are needed, not only large ones, but also to expand small and medium-scale processes. The government has talked about community projects, solar roofs, expanding coverage to renewables, etc. All this adds up, because the transition is accelerated.
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There is another issue that is related to the electrification of vehicles. This transition to sustainable mobility should also be considered and energy should be provided with conventional and non-conventional renewable energy sources. The government has also talked about the need for the industry to take advantage of this. In other words, that there is more and more local manufacturing of parts, which would be very important.
Reliability must be viewed holistically. We have a significant number of energy sources, including thermal. All those sources, including hydroelectric, generate reliability. Non-conventional renewables also have a contribution to this, because they generate energy; it cannot be said that they do not generate reliability. Batteries add to that reliability, but there’s a cost issue to look at.
What other important issues emerged from the meeting with the minister?
The minister listened to the companies and their challenges, for example, the Colectora. She told us that this sector is a priority for the government and that she is interested in companies having support for the success of the policy. We have an interest in developing local industry, which would be very valuable. There are complex issues such as prior consultations. I hope the Government reviews how this issue is regulated and I think it will be a very broad discussion because it has many impacts.
Precisely to develop the local industry, how should mining issues be handled, for example, copper?
This requires a detailed analysis of the components and elements that can be produced locally. There are some cases that have been advancing, such as that of the structures and supports of the panels. There are many things that must be analyzed.
Daniela Morales Soler
