Next August 16 was the date that was set to carry out a new auction that would allow get the electricity you need in order to meet the consumption of Colombians and avoid rationing in 2027-2028.
However, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Irene VélezHe assured that the companies “that are very interested in participating” have asked to extend the deadlines by 60 or 90 days.
(Also read: ‘The energy transition is in intensive care,’ companies tell Petro)
15th Annual Energy Congress
We believe that very business appetite for business
The companies seek “to be more ready in the preparation of the proposals.” According to the minister, it is a request that she is considering Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (Creg) to ensure that interested companies can participate in the auction. “We think very business appetite for business,” she added.
Contrary to this, the president of Acolgen, Natalia Gutiérrez, assured that the companies in the sector have expressed concern because they are changing the rules of the game.
“If we review what is included in the tax reform and some articles approved in the National Development Plan, about 75 percent of the profits are being dismantled that these projects have thanks to Law 1715 of 2014 and Law 2099 on energy transition”, they highlighted.
(Also read: Petro criticizes the management of key public entities for the energy transition)
15th Annual Energy Congress
Therefore, the union leader assured that it is important to give the appropriate public policy signals for bets to be placed in an auction such as the Reliability Fee.
However, he stresses that it is also key for this auction to materialize and “give some signs of calm to the sector because we are dealing with this auction to have peace of mind for 2025 onwards”.
“You have to give signals, but long-term signals, they cannot be signals of four or five years, you have to give signs of 15 or 20 years for investments to mature in a sector that is called upon to mitigate climate change”, said Natalia Gutiérrez.
(Also read: Former Energy Ministers ask President Petro to forget about intervening in the Creg)
15th Annual Energy Congress
The importance of the auction
This auction, initially announced for next August, seeks to assign Firm Energy Obligations (OEF) of the Reliability Charge for the period between December 1, 2027 and November 30, 2028.
This firm energy is what the plants in Colombia generate, even in conditions Hydrology criticisms or system failures. so that users do not have to face rationing.
According to the Creg, not obtaining the energy required to cover the shortfalls could cause A rationing that could cost Colombia 1.32 trillion pesos.
