The Mining and Energy Planning Unit (Upme) assured that no risk of blackout in the short term by the state of the electrical system of the area called Centro Oriental, within which the city of Bogotá is included.
This clarification comes after the former Vice Minister of Energy, Belizza Ruiz, warned of this risk in an interview with EL TIEMPO, which was confirmed by Enel Colombia and Grupo Energía Bogotá (GEB).
(Also read: GEB and Enel confirm risk of blackout in Bogotá due to opposition to key projects)
Upme explained that the Central Eastern area is made up of the networks of the departments of Cundinamarca, including Bogotá and Meta, which represent about 26 percent of the national demand, that is, approximately 12 million inhabitants.
Since 2010, projects have been defined and launched within the framework of expansion plans, to address specific operational issues through the calls and the award of the Chivor-Chivor II-Norte-Bacatá projects; Sogamoso-Norte-Nueva Esperanza; North Substation and associated transmission lines; and Virginia-New Hope.
«The expansion works that are in service have allowed maintain reliability, security and stability of the electrical system of the Central Eastern area», said Upme.
In addition, he said that, according to the forecasts and medium-term analyzes carried out by Upme and XM, the existing network allows maintaining the service while the complementary works anticipated by the growth in demand advance.
(Also read: Mayor says that it is a serious complaint about the risk of blackout in Bogotá)
Upme also emphasized that «The situation in the Central Eastern area is not new. and their needs are from a long time ago and said situation is subject to constant and permanent monitoring by Upme, with the participation of government entities and agents, to identify risk mitigation actions and advance the necessary steps towards the entry of the combined projects in a timely manner.
However, he acknowledges that the entry into operation of some projects has suffered delaysdue to decisions of the Administrative Court of Cundinamarca, ANLA requirements and positions of the inhabitants who live near the projects.
According to XM’s medium-term analyses, in the event of the failure or maintenance of an additional generation unit to those expected to be outside the area and in the event of a failure of the Bacatá-Nueva Esperanza line, in 2025-2026 the risk of neglect of demand could be close to 2 percent of the Central Eastern region.
Therefore, Upme stated that the defined and ongoing works are essential to meet demand and reduce any type of risk.
