Colombia
News

Colombia turns to gas, coal amid hydro decline

Bnamericas Published: Friday, March 10, 2023
Colombia turns to gas, coal amid hydro decline

Colombian power generation from fossil fuel-fired sources rose more than 40% in February as lower rainfall reduced output from hydroelectric plants, new figures show. 

Power plants fueled by coal, fuel oil and natural gas generated 42.5GWh/d last month compared to 30.3GWh/d in January, according to data published by grid operator and wholesale market administrator XM

Coal-fired generation jumped 74% to 19.4GWh/d, while plants that use locally produced gas reported a 14% increase to 21.7GWh/d. 

LNG IMPORTS

Meanwhile, electricity produced from imported liquefied natural gas hit 1.09GWh/d, up from zero the previous the month. 

The higher thermoelectric generation coincided with falling hydropower contributions as seasonal dry weather reduced dam levels.

Hydroelectric output for the month dipped to 172GWh/d from 181GWh/d in January. 

 

FALLING DAM LEVELS

“During the month of February, the system's [water] reserves stood at 59.5% of useable volumes,” XM national dispatch manager Jaime Zapata said in a statement. 

"Although there was a reduction of 12 [percentage] points compared to the previous month, it is a normal decrease for the current summer season, which is estimated to continue this month of March."

Zapata added that Colombia's robust network of backup thermoelectric plants meant there would be no risk to energy supply.

[insight#260217537]

RENEWABLES, EXPORTS

In addition to fossil fuels, there was also a considerable increase in non-conventional renewable energy generation in February. 

Wind power output rose 15% to 772MWh/d while solar power contributed 2,429MWh/d, up 14% compared to the previous month. 

XM said electricity exports to Ecuador fell to 204GWh from 302GWh in February while imports climbed from zero to 38MWh. 

Subscribe to the most trusted business intelligence platform in Latin America. Let us show you our solutions for Suppliers, Contractors, Operators, Government, Legal, Financial and Insurance.

Subscribe to Latin America’s most trusted business intelligence platform.

Other projects in: Electric Power (Colombia)

Get critical information about thousands of Electric Power projects in Latin America: what stages they're in, capex, related companies, contacts and more.

  • Project: Termo Amaga
  • Current stage: Blurred
  • Updated: 2 months ago

Other companies in: Electric Power (Colombia)

Get critical information about thousands of Electric Power companies in Latin America: their projects, contacts, shareholders, related news and more.

  • Company: Consorcio Energía Solar - J.E Jaimes - ISA
  • Consorcio Energía Solar - JE Jaimes - ISA is a company formed by JE Jaimes Ingenieros SA, Interconexión Eléctrica SAESP, and Energía Solar for the execution of the Guayepo Photo...
  • Company: Solargreen S.A.S.  (Solargreen)
  • Solargreen S.A.S., the Colombian branch of the Spanish Group Solaer established in 2015 in Medellín, is aimed at the development of photovoltaic projects, including feasibility ...
  • Company: Isagén S.A. E.S.P.  (Isagén)
  • Isagén S.A. E.S.P. is a Colombian state generator engaged in the generation and marketing of electricity, both domestically and internationally. The Medellín-based company has a...
  • Company: Spectrum Colombia
  • The description included in this profile was taken directly from an official source and has not been modified or edited by the BNamericas’ researchers. However, it may have been...