What is the renewable energy target for Colombia in 2030?

By 2030, Colombia aims to increase its non-hydro renewable energy installed capacity to nearly six gigawatts (GW), with 3.4 GW coming from onshore wind energy. Additionally, Colombia has committed to achieving at least 4 GW of unconventional renewable energy generation capacity by 2030, accounting for 74% of the country's total electricity generation.

The Colombian government is promoting renewable energy development on multiple fronts. Firstly, the country has established clear policies and legal frameworks to support this goal. For instance, the "Renewable Energy Law" fosters the development and utilization of unconventional energy sources through indirect incentives such as tax reductions or exemptions. Moreover, Colombia has launched the "Carbon-Neutral Colombia" strategy, aiming to achieve its climate targets by accelerating the energy transition and promoting the development of clean energy and zero-emission vehicles.

To realize these targets, Colombia is actively expanding its solar and wind energy projects. According to reports, over the next decade, the country plans to build 25 GW of new utility-scale solar farms and 12 GW of new wind farms, including potential renewable energy capacities of 9.7 GW and 1.7 GW in the La Guajira and Cesar departments, respectively. The implementation of these projects will not only increase the proportion of renewable energy but also bring economic and social benefits to local communities.

However, Colombia faces several challenges in advancing renewable energy. For instance, low energy storage capacity and extreme weather events, coupled with a lack of transmission infrastructure, necessitate modernization or re-equipping of hydropower stations for some energy producers. Furthermore, despite Colombia's abundant natural resources, transforming them into a competitor in the global low-carbon hydrogen market requires attracting domestic and foreign capital to develop the first commercial projects.

In conclusion, Colombia's objective by 2030 is to elevate its non-hydro renewable energy installed capacity to nearly six GW, with these energy sources contributing 74% of the country's total electricity generation. To achieve this, Colombia is adopting a series of policy measures and actively expanding solar and wind energy projects. Despite existing challenges, through sustained efforts and international cooperation, Colombia stands poised to make notable progress in the realm of renewable energy.