Colombia takes preventive measures to guarantee energy supply

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

Bogotá, September 19, 2024. In order to ensure optimal recovery of the reservoirs of the National Interconnected System during the dry season that continues in the country due to the climate crisis, we would like to inform the public:

1. The Ministry of Mines and Energy and its affiliated institutions maintain detailed monitoring of the country's energy situation through the Advisory Commission for Coordination and Monitoring of the Energy Situation - CACSSE. The monitoring period has been increased to weekly frequency and will be increased to daily monitoring if necessary.
2. We have enabled the delivery of surpluses to include more energy to the grid. On September 13, the CREG made available for comments the regulatory project 701 604 “By which transitional measures are established to authorize the delivery of surpluses of energy generation to the National Interconnected System (SIN)”. Through this resolution, the CREG seeks that minor plants and self-generating agents with an installed capacity greater than 1 MW in the following 3 months can deliver to the system the maximum amount of electric energy possible, for the service of users connected to the National Interconnected System.
3. We enable thermal energy to meet demand. On September 18, 2024, this Ministry made available to the public the regulatory project through which Transitional Measures for supplying demand during temporary energy conditions are established for system recovery after the El Niño Phenomenon 2023-2024. With the issuance of this measure, it is proposed that thermal generation be established on a basis to meet demand during the validity of the regulatory project.
4. We have limited energy exports to Ecuador. With the issuance of Resolution 40330 of 2024, it was established that energy exports to Ecuador be carried out with thermal energy that is not necessary for national dispatch. Therefore, by regulating the previous measure (section 3 of this communication), energy would be exported to Ecuador with surpluses that are not required to meet national demand.
5. We are making savings measures feasible for the industrial sector. The CREG is updating the regulatory project that allows the industry to participate in the voluntary disconnectable demand, which would allow intelligent consumption by users in this sector. It is expected that the regulatory project will be available for comments in the next few days.
6. We will reactivate our energy saving and efficient use campaigns . For this reason, we call on the industrial and commercial sectors and the general public not to let their guard down and to reinforce energy and water saving measures to face the dry season affecting the country.