Colombia inaugurates La Union solar park

This statement from the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Colombia was translated from Spanish by an automated system

With an investment of over US$ 200 million, the National Government, together with the company Zelestra, delivered today the La Unión Photovoltaic Solar Park, a project that will provide clean energy to 132 thousand homes (430 thousand people). During its construction, 1,276 employees were involved in the project, giving priority to the communities in the area of influence, with a total of 648 people, of which 170 are women.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho, assured that the path indicated by President Gustavo Petro is being fulfilled: “We have what you asked of us, President, we managed to transform social relations with energy, here in the department, with the governor we have signed an agreement for the construction of one hundred energy communities in the territory, because it is not only about having large generation projects, but it is also about guaranteeing that, through renewable energy, panels and this technology, we can solve the needs of thousands of residents in many places in our country and in this department.”

This project is of utmost importance for the region, as La Unión supplies the annual energy needs of 172,000 homes, approximately 600,000 people, and avoids 168,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to the oxygen production of 16,800,000 trees.

The National Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, has implemented the 6GW priority project strategy to support the diversification of the energy matrix and achieve the implementation of the Just Energy Transition, in order to identify and manage solutions to environmental, social and permitting problems, among others. Through an active and permanent relationship with the project promoters, the entry of at least 6 GW of new generation from Non-Conventional Renewable Energy Sources (FNCER) is sought by 2026.

“We are working on two lines: ensuring that large-scale renewable generation projects are developed in the country, but also ensuring that energy for people arrives quickly and that we can resolve their income situation, their competitiveness, and even that they can develop projects for what we have called a productive reactivation of this popular economy,” said Minister Camacho.

The Just Energy Transition led by the National Government in favor of life, the environment and communities is strengthened and creates public-private allies to take climate action.