‘En energía, el gobierno Petro no ha dado las señales y ya no tenemos tiempo’: Acolgén Colombia is experiencing a critical energy shortage driven by a global boom in technology and electrification, leading to a demand surge outpacing supply. Decades of insufficient investment and policy signals have created a deficit, exacerbated by the current government’s delayed actions. Experts warn that without immediate and substantial investments in new generation capacity and market reforms, the country risks severe blackouts, particularly during the predicted El Niño phenomenon.

• Colombia faces a growing energy deficit due to increased demand from technological advancements and economic electrification.
• The country has maintained a historical energy surplus of 10%, which has now eroded.
• Lack of long-term regulatory signals and policy interventions has hindered necessary investments in new energy generation.
• Annual investments of $10 to $13 billion are estimated to be required to meet demand over the next 3-4 years.
• The situation is likened to scarcity driving up prices in a market, with negative energy margins.
• A potential El Niño phenomenon between December 2026 and early 2027 poses a significant risk of blackouts.
• Environmental licensing and prior consultation processes are identified as bottlenecks.
• Modernizing the energy market, including smart meters, is crucial for efficiency and potentially lowering costs.
• The cargo for reliability has helped prevent blackouts and caps thermal energy prices.
• There is a need for more energy from various sources, including gas, hydro, solar, and wind.
• Proposed solutions include market modernization, distributed generation, and self-generation for small communities.
• Experts emphasize that the current system can be improved rather than completely eliminated.