The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently published the report “An Energy Sector Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions in Colombia” which aims to provide Colombian and international stakeholders with a clear outline of how Colombia can achieve net zero emissions, the role the energy sector can play, and the needed actions and investments. The report lays out a possible pathway, but not the only pathway, for Colombia to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Some of the key highlights:
Colombia’s fossil fuel resources of oil and gas lie in the sparsely populated eastern half and along the more populous Caribbean coast; coal-rich basins are in the northeast. Hydropower resources are found in the central area, close to population centres. Regions with strong potential for renewables, notably wind and solar, include remote areas such as La Guajira in the north, while the country’s rocks hold potential for geothermal energy.
Colombia is the world’s tenth-largest coal producer, with reserves that could supply the country for more than 50 years. The country also has oil and natural gas reserves; it is a net exporter of oil, although it became a net importer of gas in 2024 as domestic production declined and energy demand grew. Fossil fuels are an important part of the economy, accounting for 45% of its exports.
The total energy demand in Colombia almost doubled from 2000 to 2024, reaching 2 027 PJ. The proportion sourced from fossil fuels was relatively flat during this period at 76%. Modern bioenergy has played an increasing role in the mix, more than tripling since the turn of the millennium. The country has strong potential from solar and wind, yet in 2024 these sources accounted for less than 1% of the energy supply.
Hydropower is a cornerstone of Colombia’s electricity generation, making around two-thirds of the mix over the past decade. Its share is in decline as opportunities for expansion are limited. To meet rising energy demand, power generation using fossil fuels has increased – since 2000 natural gas-fired generation has more than doubled while coal is more than five times higher.
Access the report here