Colombia

Background

Colombia is abundant in energy resources, including substantial hydro capacity and impressive renewable energy potential, such as the country’s high solar radiation. Renewable electricity auctions in 2019 and 2021 helped to kick off solar and wind power developments, and bioenergy has also been highlighted as a strategic opportunity to meet Colombia’s climate and energy policy objectives.  Bioenergy can be produced using widely available residues, for instance from agricultural activities, as well as from other sources such as municipal waste. Still, bioenergy projects face a number of challenges in Colombia today, due in part to the multifaceted nature of the sector as well as the lack of clear signalling on development opportunities.

Report highlights

This CEFIM report on Enabling conditions for bioenergy finance and investment in Colombia considers critical challenges to bioenergy development in the country and looks at strategic actions the Government of Colombia can take to attract investment in the country’s considerable bioenergy resource potential.

Read the full report (English / Spanish)

Launch and roundtable discussion

The report was launched on 23 March 2022 by Miguel Lotero Robledo, the Vice Minister of Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, alongside Deputy Ambassador of Colombia, Gloria Alonso, and the OECD Director of Environment, Rodolfo Lacy. This roundtable event provided an opportunity to present the report’s findings and for government and bioenergy stakeholders to discuss progress, challenges and opportunities for bioenergy development in Colombia.

• Watch the video recording of the event 

Speakers

Welcome remarks and report highlights

• Gloria Amparo Alonso Masmela, Deputy Ambassador of Colombia
• Rodolfo Lacy, Director of Environment, OECD
• Miguel Lotero Robledo, Colombia Vice-Minister of Energy
• Lylah Davies and John Dulac, Policy Analysts, OECD: "Enabling conditions for bionergy finance and investment in Colombia"
• John Dulac, Policy Analyst, OECD
• Julián Rojas, Head of regulatory affairs, Ministry of Mines and Energy: "Transición energética en Colombia"

Panel on actions and opportunities for bioenergy development

Moderator: Carolina Agudelo Arbelaze, Renewable Energy Business Development Manager, PWC and Climate Finance Accelerator

• Daniel Mattos, Head of Co-processing, Associação Brasileira de Cimento Portland (ABCP)
• Ignacio Suarez, Head of energy, Manuelita Azúcar y Energía
• Diego Fernandez, Climate change and sustainability consultant, Implementasur/Reciclo Orgánicos programme
• Hans van Tol, Chief Executive Officer, Dutch Power Group
• José María Rincón Martinez, Centro de Desarollo Industrial
• Catalina Cano Zapata, Vice President of Innovation and Sustainability, Bancolombia

Final comments and key takeaways

• John Dulac, Policy Analyst, OECD