LNG buildout undermines energy transition goals

This policy brief by Global Energy Monitor argues that Colombia's planned expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacity significantly exceeds its projected 2030 demand, risking the creation of stranded assets and hindering the country's energy transition goals.

• Colombia has planned at least nine major LNG import terminal projects and expansions scheduled to begin operations between 2026 and 2030. If these are developed, including an expansion of the existing terminal, the country's import capacity could reach approximately 2,500 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) by 2030, which is more than double the government's projected gas demand for that year.
• The Unidad de Planeación Minero Energética (UPME) estimates that gas demand under normal conditions will be around 1,000 MMcf/d by 2030, with a projected gas deficit increasing from 200 MMcf/d to 500 MMcf/d by the same year. Current infrastructure and planned projects, such as the SPEC LNG terminal in Cartagena (which will provide 425 MMcf/d plus a 58 MMcf/d expansion by 2027), the PuertoBahía LNG terminal (400 MMcf/d by 2029), and the Coveñas FSRU (400 MMcf/d by 2030), could nearly meet total demand by 2030.
• Industrial gas consumption in Colombia fell by 28% in the first four months of 2026, with demand shifting toward liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (50%), coal (20%), fuel oil, and sugar cane bagasse. This shift is driven by domestic gas shortages, high LNG prices, and volatility in global markets, exacerbated by conflict in Iran.
• Colombia's roadmap from the First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels suggests the country could reduce emissions and fossil fuel dependence by 90% by 2050. However, the country remains dependent on fossil fuel infrastructure and royalties. There is a risk that proposals to reactivate oil and gas production, including fracking, could undermine the transition roadmap and long-term energy security.

APA

Llano, A. (2026). LNG buildout undermines energy transition goals. Global Energy Monitor. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/2026-06/GEM%20Colombia%27s%20planned%20gas%20glut%20brief-June-2026.pdf

Chicago

Llano, Amalia. LNG buildout undermines energy transition goals. Global Energy Monitor, 2026. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/2026-06/GEM%20Colombia%27s%20planned%20gas%20glut%20brief-June-2026.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Llano |first1=Amalia |title=LNG buildout undermines energy transition goals |publisher=Global Energy Monitor |date=11 June 2026 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/2026-06/GEM%20Colombia%27s%20planned%20gas%20glut%20brief-June-2026.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{llano2026lng, author = {Llano, Amalia}, title = {{LNG buildout undermines energy transition goals}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/2026-06/GEM%20Colombia%27s%20planned%20gas%20glut%20brief-June-2026.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }