Colombia just made significant progress on its energy system. In the first quarter of 2025, 17 new projects entered the National Interconnected System (SIN), the network that carries electricity from generation plants to consumers across the country. These projects added fresh capacity to Colombia’s generation matrix while strengthening transmission infrastructure. The achievement demonstrates Colombia’s commitment to expanding energy infrastructure strategically and sustainably.
The numbers reveal where Colombia’s energy future is heading, 27.24 megawatts of new generation capacity entered service during those first three months, with solar technology leading the way; 13 of the 16 new generation projects harness energy directly from the sun, while three represent traditional thermal plants.
This composition reveals a clear trend; Colombia continues shifting toward renewable energy while maintaining thermal generation as backup capacity. The mix creates a flexible system capable of responding to varying electricity demand and weather patterns.
What makes this achievement noteworthy is the diversity of the projects themselves. They range from small distributed generation installations serving local communities to massive autogenerators supplying power directly into the national grid.
Additionally, one transmission project enhanced critical infrastructure by upgrading connection points. This combination of generation expansion and transmission improvement creates synergy that strengthens the entire energy system across Colombia.
17 new energy projects strengthened the national grid in 2025’s Q1
The dominance of solar technology among new generation projects reflects a global energy revolution that Colombia actively embraces. Of the 17 generation projects entering the system in the first quarter, 13 harness photovoltaic technology to convert sunlight directly into electricity. This predominance demonstrates that renewable energy has moved beyond niche status to become mainstream infrastructure investment in Colombia.
Solar energy offers Colombia multiple advantages explaining its popularity among developers. First, solar installations have lower operating costs once constructed, since they require no fuel purchases. Second, solar technology has become increasingly affordable due to technological improvements worldwide. Third, distributed solar installations can be constructed close to consumption points, reducing transmission losses and network strain. Fourth, solar power production peaks during daylight hours when electricity demand typically rises. Finally, solar generation produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with climate commitments and sustainability goals.
The 13 solar projects include 10 distributed generation installations generating under one megawatt near consumption centers and three large-scale solar autogenerators feeding power directly into the system. These larger installations represent significant infrastructure investments in regions with excellent solar resources. Together, these solar projects represent approximately 20.4 megawatts, meaning solar accounts for roughly 75% of the new generation capacity that entered during the quarter.
Thermal generation maintains strategic importance
Alongside the solar surge, three thermal generation projects also entered commercial operation during the first quarter. These plants generate electricity by burning fossil fuels to heat water and drive turbines, contributing 11.19 megawatts to the system’s total new capacity. While thermal generation represents a smaller percentage of new projects compared to solar, it remains strategically important for system reliability and flexibility.
Thermal plants can operate regardless of weather conditions, time of day, or season, providing dependable electricity when renewable sources cannot meet demand fully. Modern thermal plants can adjust output quickly to match changing electricity demand, making them particularly valuable for balancing the grid. This flexibility proves especially important as Colombia increases renewable generation, since solar output varies with cloud cover while wind fluctuates with weather patterns.
The interplay between solar and thermal generation creates a balanced energy system. Solar plants provide affordable, clean baseload capacity during favorable weather, while thermal plants provide reliable backup when renewable sources cannot fully meet demand. This complementary approach has proven successful in many countries worldwide. Colombia’s continued inclusion of thermal capacity alongside aggressive renewable expansion demonstrates pragmatic energy planning that prioritizes reliability alongside sustainability.
Distributed generation empowers communities
Ten of the 17 generation projects represent distributed generation installations producing electricity with capacity under one megawatt and operating close to consumption points. This distributed approach offers numerous advantages that explain its growing popularity worldwide. By generating electricity near consumption areas, distributed generation reduces transmission losses that naturally occur during long-distance electricity transport through networks.
Distributed generation also enhances system resilience by creating multiple generation points throughout the network rather than relying on a few large central plants. If a single large plant experiences problems, the entire region might face shortages, whereas distributed systems with many smaller generators continue functioning even if individual installations encounter issues. Additionally, distributed generation can incorporate local resources uniquely suited to specific communities. A coastal region might utilize wind power; a rural mountain area might use microhydro installations; an urban neighborhood might install rooftop solar panels.
The economic benefits of distributed generation extend beyond energy production costs. Local installation, operation, and maintenance create employment opportunities in communities. Property owners hosting rooftop solar can benefit from long-term power purchase agreements providing stable income. Communities gain energy independence and resilience, reducing vulnerability to distant grid failures. For Colombia, the expansion of distributed generation represents a democratic energy transition where communities participate actively rather than remaining passive consumers.
Transmission infrastructure enables growth
While generation projects capture attention with visible electricity production, transmission infrastructure works behind the scenes making everything function effectively. During the first quarter, one transmission project entered commercial operation; the Huila Electrification Company upgraded the Pitalito substation by replacing a 25 megavolt-ampere transformer with a 40 megavolt-ampere unit.
This upgrade represents crucial system enhancement that increases connection capacity for users while enabling future generation projects to integrate into the network. Substations serve as critical nodes in Colombia’s transmission network, stepping voltage up or down and redirecting power flows. The Pitalito upgrade allows more electricity to flow through that connection point, benefiting the department of Huila and surrounding regions.
The relationship between transmission infrastructure and generation projects reflects modern energy system complexity. XM, responsible for operating Colombia’s National Interconnected System, coordinates continuously with generation developers to ensure that projects proceed in coordinated fashion. The Pitalito upgrade demonstrates this coordination working effectively; as solar projects proliferate in regions like Huila, transmission enhancements ensure that local electricity production reaches consumers throughout the region.
Colombia’s energy evolution continues
The 17 projects entering Colombia’s National Interconnected System during the first quarter of 2025 represent more than just a regulatory milestone. These installations demonstrate the practical reality of Colombia’s energy transition underway today. Thirteen solar projects show that renewable energy has become mainstream infrastructure. Three thermal plants confirm that backup capacity remains essential for stability. Ten distributed generation facilities empower communities while reducing central system stress. One transmission upgrade removes constraints enabling future growth.
Together, these projects tell a story of deliberate, strategic infrastructure investment supporting Colombia’s energy security and sustainability simultaneously. As Colombia continues this transition through 2025 and beyond, projects like these will gradually reshape the nation’s energy landscape toward sustainability and resilience. Sixty-two additional projects in testing status represent a robust pipeline suggesting future capacity growth. The 17 projects that entered service represent a waypoint on a longer journey toward a renewable, distributed, resilient energy system serving all Colombians with clean, affordable, reliable power.