Colombia Wind Power Energy Storage Project

Are Colombia's wind energy plans stalling?

(AP Photo/Ivan Valencia, File) BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia’s ambitious plans for wind energy development, especially in the resource-rich La Guajira region, are facing serious setbacks as major companies pull out and projects stall, industry experts say.

How much wind energy can Colombia generate?

Colombia’s Mining and Energy Planning Unit estimates the country could generate up to 18 gigawatts of wind energy — nearly double the nation’s current installed electricity capacity of 20 gigawatts. Several companies brought equipment and infrastructure to Colombia around 2021 before securing permits, but parks remain unbuilt.

Did Colombia start a wind farm without a regulatory framework?

Diego Patron, manager of the Jemeiwaa Ka’I wind project, a large-scale wind farm cluster in La Guajira, acknowledged the pioneering nature of Colombia’s early wind efforts, which began in a regulatory vacuum without clear institutional frameworks.

What are the key challenges faced by Colombia's wind turbine industry?

Key obstacles include limited grid connection infrastructure in La Guajira, recent regulatory changes that reduce financial returns and complex social and leadership challenges. Two people on a motorcycle drive near wind turbines on the outskirts of Cabo de la Vela, Colombia, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia, File)