Solar, wind power and energy communities in Colombia: 2025 policy overview

The document assesses the current state and future trajectory of solar and wind energy in Colombia, noting a rise in installed capacity to 9% of the electricity matrix by 2024 and a target of 20,000 energy communities by 2026. It highlights a significant drop in renewable investment between 2022 and 2023 and identifies a funding gap of up to USD 92.4 billion to meet National Energy Plan goals, while emphasizing the need for justice and equity strategies for local communities.

• Installed solar and wind capacity in Colombia grew from 1.5% of the total electricity matrix in 2022 to approximately 9% in 2024, primarily driven by solar capacity expansion.
• The Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) has approved 13.5 GW of solar and 2.8 GW of wind projects for the period between 2023 and 2033.
• The National Development Plan 2022–2026 seeks to establish 20,000 energy communities by 2026 to promote energy democratization.
• Renewable energy investment decreased by nearly 70% from 2022 to 2023, attributed to high capital costs, electricity price pressures, and changes in tax incentives. Meeting the National Energy Plan (PEN) 2022–2052 targets for wind and solar will require up to USD 92.4 billion.
• The expansion of renewable projects faces equity and justice challenges, which the Just Energy Transition Roadmap aims to address to ensure local communities receive tangible benefits and meaningful participation.

APA

Araújo, J. V., Cabré, M. M., & Barrera, M. P. G. (2025). Solar, wind power and energy communities in Colombia: 2025 policy overview. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/publications/solar-wind-power-energy-communities-colombia-2025-policy/

Chicago

Araújo, José Vega, Miquel Muñoz Cabré, and María Paula Gil Barrera. Solar, wind power and energy communities in Colombia: 2025 policy overview. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2025. https://www.sei.org/publications/solar-wind-power-energy-communities-colombia-2025-policy/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Araújo |first1=José Vega |last2=Cabré |first2=Miquel Muñoz |last3=Barrera |first3=María Paula Gil |title=Solar, wind power and energy communities in Colombia: 2025 policy overview |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2 October 2025 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/solar-wind-power-energy-communities-colombia-2025-policy/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{arajo2025solar, author = {Araújo, José Vega and Cabré, Miquel Muñoz and Barrera, María Paula Gil}, title = {{Solar, wind power and energy communities in Colombia: 2025 policy overview}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2025}, month = oct, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/solar-wind-power-energy-communities-colombia-2025-policy/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }