Colombia's GEB cleared to start work on 2.8GW Colectora renewables link

Colombian licensing authority ANLA said on Wednesday it accepted a request by Grupo Energía Bogotá (GEB) to change key aspects of its environmental permit for the troubled Colectora transmission line.

GEB appeared to secure a major breakthrough in June when ANLA issued a license for then-500kV project, a key pillar of Colombia's energy transition plans. 

Days later GEB revealed that the entity had rejected six key aspects of the development plan, including the location of two towers because they are within 100m of a cemetery and the use of a riverbed to access the project's substation. 

"We have resolved the appeal that was filed against the environmental license of the Colectora electric transmission project in La Guajira," ANLA director Rodrigo Negrete said.

"Without a doubt, this is perhaps the most important project in the country today in terms of the energy transition."

Originally slated for completion in 2022, Colectora was postponed by a requirement for GEB to conduct individual consultations with more than 230 indigenous communities.

The project is divided into two parts: a 228km link from the Colectora to Cuestecita substations, which is the main cause of the delays, and the 247km Cuestecitas-La Loma connection. ANLA issued a permit for the latter in 2023. 

"This [decision] will allow renewable energy to become part of the national grid," Negrete said.

"The viability of the project is now completely clear. It had already been licensed; the appeal for reconsideration was pending, and the go-ahead has now been given to all the technical requirements required by the project."

In total, the project will traverse 14 municipalities in La Guajira and Cesar departments. BNamericas understands it is expected to require investment of at least US$200mn.

When completed, the Colectora line will deliver energy from wind and solar projects totaling more than 2.8GW of installed capacity, according to the mines and energy ministry. 

GEB has said the project's construction is expected to take around two years. A company spokesperson was not immediately available for comment on ANLA's decision.