Colombia publishes draft rules for 'energy communities'

Installed capacity of Colombia's so-called energy communities will be limited to 5MW or less, according to draft rules published by mines and energy ministry planning unit UPME. 

The figure corresponds to the overall capacity for collective self-generation (AGRC) and collective distributed generation (GDC) systems that utilize renewable sources, the entity said. 

The document also establishes requirements designed to ensure a seamless integration of these systems into local distribution networks and accelerate a shift away from fossil fuels. 

UPME set a June 5 deadline for comments and suggestions from the public.

In December, President Gustavo Petro announced plans for indigenous and rural communities to partner with private and public companies to develop renewable power generation and commercialization initiatives. 

A decree stipulated that electricity from the projects would first serve the communities' own energy needs but could later be sold to other users via the national interconnected system. 

More information, in Spanish, can be seen here