To contribute to the energy transition through the generation of green energy, EDF Colombia and Refocosta partnered to build the power generation plant with biomass from eucalyptus cultivation largest in the country.

The plant will be located in the municipality of Villanueva, Casanare, and will have a total installed capacity of 25 megawatts. The energy will be supplied entirely to the Ecopetrol Groupthrough an agreement with Gecelca.

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«With the incorporation of energy from biomass to Ecopetrol’s supply matrix, we contribute to the decarbonization of our operations and continue to give firm steps for the generation of green hydrogen, which requires non-conventional renewable sources for its production. We hope to continue developing projects that position us as leaders of the energy transition in Colombia and the region,» said Felipe Bayón, president of the Ecopetrol Group.

In total, more than 200 gigawatt hours per year of green energy and firm, which will mean a reduction in CO2 emissions of more than 70,000 tons per year in the country’s energy matrix.

One of the most important aspects of this project to highlight is the positive impact that it will generate for the regional and local economy, since this technology covers an extensive value chain that goes from work in the nursery, through land preparation. and crop management up to the Energy production.

«Although this project is the first implemented by EDF in Colombia, we hope to develop a series of additional projects together with Refocosta to contribute to the Decarbonization of the Colombian energy matrixaccelerate the energy transition and combat climate change”, said Jean-François Lebrun, general director of EDF Colombia.

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The construction of the plant has been scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2023 in order to starting operations in early 2025contributing to the diversification of the energy matrix and the transition of the country towards cleaner energy sources.

«We are convinced that promoting green energy generation with this biomass plant is key to contributing to the objectives set by the country within the framework of COP27, in addition to contributing to energy security and social, economic and environmental development,» said Carlos Andrés López, president of Refocosta.

This plant in Villanueva, which was made possible through the supply agreement with the Ecopetrol Group, becomes the first project in a joint portfolio between EDF and Refocosta that considers biomass projects in the country with a potential of up to 200 megawatts.