Colombian court voids appointment of energy regulator chief

Colombia's highest administrative tribunal has annulled the appointment of Omar Prias as executive director of electric power and gas sector regulator Creg. 

The council of state, as the tribunal is known, said Prias did not have the necessary experience or sector knowledge to fill the position. 

"It was demonstrated that, although the defendant met the academic training requirement, he did not hold positions of responsibility in public or private entities in the energy sector for a period equal to or greater than six years," the council of state said in a statement on Friday. 

"Nor did [Prias] serve as an advisor or consultant for that same period in entities that are part of that specific sector, in accordance with the jurisprudential thesis on the requirements to access the position of commissioned expert."

BNamericas understands that Prias will remain in the role pending the outcome of an appeal. 

The ruling means that Creg currently has only one sitting commissioner, Baisser Antonio Jiménez.

Sector experts have expressed concern that Creg has been unable to proceed with its regulatory agenda after a series of resignations left its board without the quorum required to make decisions.