Colombia Resorts to Thermal Power Amid Energy Crisis

Colombia faces an escalating risk of a nationwide energy crisis due to the El Niño climate phenomenon, which has severely impacted rainfall patterns for several months. Colombia’s hydroelectric generation capacity, normally accounting for about 70 to 85 percent of its energy needs, has been significantly affected as water reservoirs have dwindled to historic lows. To face the spectre of electricity rationing in the country, the Minister of Mines and Energy has enacted a resolution for “temporary measures to meet demand,” mandating that national thermal energy facilities operate at full capacity.

Colombia’s reservoirs nearing critical threshold

The Colombian water reservoirs reached a new historic low this weekend, holding only 29.96 percent of their total usable capacity, as reported by XM, the entity managing Colombia’s electricity market. El Niño phenomenon has triggered this energy crisis by causing severe droughts throughout the country, characterized by high temperatures and a scarcity of rainfall.

Although the most intense phase of El Niño is predicted to end by late June, the fading of this climatic event has not halted the decline in Colombia’s water reserves, which have seen an 11 percent drop since March 2024. The reserves are now dangerously close to the 27 percent critical threshold set by the government, which would initiate a national energy rationing plan.

Bogota has been experiencing water rationing since Thursday, April 11, as authorities struggle to fulfill the city’s demands due to the critically low levels at the Chingaza reservoir, currently below 17 percent capacity.

Mitigating the energy crisis

Thermal energy plants can supply up to 47 percent of Colombia’s electricity demand. Following the latest resolution by the Minister of Mines and Energy, the country’s facilities are now expected to operate at full capacity. On his X social media account, the minister cited the “historic lows” of rainfall in March and April and urged that “all of Colombia should increase energy and water conservation.”

With hydroelectricity currently providing only 45.84 percent of the nation’s electricity demand, thermal energy has emerged as the most feasible alternative. In Colombia, thermal energy is primarily produced using coal and gas. As President Petro has committed to phasing out the coal industry, the country is increasingly dependent on gas. Amid the intensifying energy crisis, Colombia is planning to expand its production capacities but must first primarily rely on gas imports. Currently, the country is exploring the option of importing gas from Venezuela.

Following El Niño, the country will experience the ‘La Niña‘ phenomenon starting in the last months of the year. Contrarily to El Niño, La Niña causes increased rainfall and lower temperatures in Colombia, an influence that could help alleviate the energy crisis.