Several major international energy companies have withdrawn from renewable energy projects in Colombia-especially those focused on Wind Energy, which has been seen as a cornestone of Colombia’s long-term energy transition-citing a combination of regulatory hurdles, community opposition, and financial challenges. Sector experts are already warning about the severity of the situation.
Margarita Nieves, director of Colombia’s Offshore Wind Energy Research Network, explained to The Associated Press that despite ambitious goals–including the awarding of 1.1 gigawatts in a 2019 auction-only two wind farms are currently partially operational, with a combined capacity of less than 32 megawatts.
According to the Mining and Energy Planning Unit, Colombia has a potential to generate up to 18 gigawatts of wind energy-nearly double the country’s current installed electrical capacity of 20 gigawatts. This significant potential is especially located in La Guajira region.
According to official sources, in 2021 several companies imported equipment and infrastructure into Colombia before fully securing the necessary permits, but wind farms have yet to be built. Challenges include limited grid connection infrastructure in La Guajira, recent regulatory changes affecting project profitability, as well as social and leadership-related complications.
Colombia, the third most populated country in Latin America, has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. However, President Gustavo Petro-the country’s first leftist leader, who has positioned himself as an environmental advocate and champion of a just energy transition-has struggled to deliver on this agenda.
Colombia remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with oil continuing to be its main expert and a major source of government revenue.
The news also comes at a time when there has been a growing concern that Colombia has lost its energy self-sufficency, and that the country’s alternativas are becoming increasingly limited in that front.
Which companies have abandoned wind, renewable energy projects in Colombia?
In 2023, the Italian multinational Enel withdrew from the onshore Windpeshi project in La Guajira. By the end of 2024, EDP Renewables also canceled two major projects-Alpha and Beta-also in the same region.
More recently, state-owned Ecopetrol acquired nine solar and wind energy projects from Norwegian Company Statkraft. This portfolio, spanning La Guajira, Sucre, Cordoba, Caldas and Magdalena, has a combined potential capacity of 1.3 gigawatts. However, only one project is currently operational, and the rest are expected to begin between 2026 and 2027.
Ecopetrol’s energy transition strategy aims to reduce dependence on oil and gas to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Still, challenges-including regulatory delays and governance concerns-cast doubts about the pace of this transition and its potential economic impact.
Margarita Nieves emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that out of more than 20 projected projects, only two have moved forward. She highlighted the need to streamline regulatory processes and improve consultation with indigenous communities-especially the Wayuu in La Guajira–and ensure adequate power infrastructure.
Additionally, one of the most emblematic cases in the country—though not a wind energy project but still part of the renewable energy sector—is that of EDF Renewables, the French multinational that decided to withdraw from the Pubenza 2 solar project in Girardot, Cundinamarca. This photovoltaic park had a projected capacity of 50 megawatts and was part of a larger award totaling 145 MWp secured in a government auction. According to EDF, the decision to withdraw was driven by a series of structural difficulties that ultimately made the project unviable.
The company reported that the regional environmental authority, responsible for issuing environmental permits, failed to meet the deadlines established by decree, causing critical delays. Additionally, EDF highlighted the fiscal and regulatory changes introduced after the auction, negatively impacted the project’s expected profitability.
EDF’s case underscores how regulatory instability and bureaucratic inefficiency continue to be major obstacles for renewable energy development in Colombia, despite the country’s ambitious climate and energy transition goals.
At this point the question to be asked is why are these projects so important for Colombia? Given that Colombia is more than 20 years behind in the wind energy sector, these projects have become central to the country’s plan for a just energy transition–an effort to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources while supporting vulnerable groups such as indigenous communities.
A particularly stark and often overlooked fact in this context is that La Guajira is also home to Cerrejón, one of the largest open-pit coal mines in the world, which has been in operation since 1985. However, this mine has an estimated remaining lifespan of just nine years. Its eventual closure-without viable economic alternatives-poses a serious threat to the local economy. This makes the development of wind energy in the region even more urgent. So basically, what Colombia is facing is not only about clean energy or meeting climate goals but also about ensuring a sustainable economic future, especially as the era of coal winds down.
As many experts highlight, replacing coal jobs and revenues with clean energy opportunities is critical to avoiding deepening poverty and social unrest in the region. Also, the challenges ahead, spark concern about Colombia’s energy security and its ability to meet its 2050 emissions reduction commitments.