Unlocking the energy transition in Colombia: Strategies to reduce gas dependency

Colombia is projected to face a gas supply deficit starting in 2030, with domestic production and import capacity unable to meet demand. The report argues that this vulnerability can be mitigated by implementing energy efficiency measures in the industrial sector and electrifying cooking and water heating in the residential sector. Together, these actions could reduce 2030 gas demand by 21,545 GBtu, which is 1.5 times the projected deficit for that year. The authors recommend a planned exit from gas, including a national appliance replacement programme, the reorientation of subsidies toward electrification, and the limitation of new fossil fuel infrastructure to avoid carbon lock-in.

• Colombia is projected to experience a gas supply deficit starting in 2030, with the gap growing to 1.2 million GBtu between 2030 and 2038. By 2034, this deficit could equal the combined total demand of the industrial and residential sectors.
• Implementing energy efficiency measures in industrial direct and indirect heating processes could reduce gas consumption by approximately 14,277 GBtu per year by 2030, representing a 14% reduction in the sector's projected consumption.
• Electrifying cooking for 10% of households connected to the grid (1.2 million stoves) and replacing 30% of water heaters (32,000 units) would reduce 2030 consumption by approximately 7,081 GBtu, keeping residential demand near 2024 levels.
• Combined energy efficiency and electrification measures could reduce total gas demand in 2030 by 21,545 GBtu, which is 1.5 times the projected deficit for that year and would avoid $190 million USD in gas imports.
• The report argues that fracking is not a viable solution for the gas deficit due to high investment costs, long development times, and environmental risks to water and ecosystems.
• To facilitate a just transition, the report recommends a national programme to replace gas appliances via subsidies or loans, promoting gas-free new homes, and redirecting existing gas consumption subsidies toward electrification.

APA

Suárez, W., Rodas, J. F. P., Vásquez, M. P., & Valencia, V. (2025). Unlocking the energy transition in Colombia: Strategies to reduce gas dependency. Ember. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/12/EN-Report-Unlocking-the-energy-transition-in-Colombia_Strategies-to-reduce-gas-dependency.pdf

Chicago

Suárez, Wilmar, Juan Felipe Parra Rodas, María Paulina Vásquez, and Verónica Valencia. Unlocking the energy transition in Colombia: Strategies to reduce gas dependency. Ember, 2025. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/12/EN-Report-Unlocking-the-energy-transition-in-Colombia_Strategies-to-reduce-gas-dependency.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Suárez |first1=Wilmar |last2=Rodas |first2=Juan Felipe Parra |last3=Vásquez |first3=María Paulina |last4=Valencia |first4=Verónica |title=Unlocking the energy transition in Colombia: Strategies to reduce gas dependency |publisher=Ember |date=4 December 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/12/EN-Report-Unlocking-the-energy-transition-in-Colombia_Strategies-to-reduce-gas-dependency.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{surez2025unlocking, author = {Suárez, Wilmar and Rodas, Juan Felipe Parra and Vásquez, María Paulina and Valencia, Verónica}, title = {{Unlocking the energy transition in Colombia: Strategies to reduce gas dependency}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = dec, url = {https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/12/EN-Report-Unlocking-the-energy-transition-in-Colombia_Strategies-to-reduce-gas-dependency.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }