President De la Espriella Launches 'Energy Now Plan' to Prevent Power Shortages

President Abelardo De la Espriella has announced the 'Plan Energía Ya,' a package of measures approved by the Commission for the Regulation of Energy and Gas (Creg) to protect Colombia's electricity supply against the El Niño phenomenon. The plan aims to avoid blackouts and prevent excessive tariff increases, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Chocó and the Caribbean.

The plan consists of two primary measures. First, it introduces an incentive for energy conservation where users who reduce their monthly consumption by more than 10 percent relative to their individual goal will receive a benefit on their bill. Conversely, those who exceed that goal by more than 10 percent will face an additional charge. Users in municipalities affected by the August earthquake are exempt from this scheme. Second, the government will activate a mechanism to ensure thermal generation and preserve reservoir reserves in preparation for the dry season of late 2026 and early 2027.

Both sources note that the current administration views the energy sector as being in a critical state. A center-lean source frames this crisis as a matter of national security inherited from the Petro government, citing a combination of long term project delays and specific decisions by the previous administration, such as conflicts with sector actors and the removal of investment incentives. A center-left source also reports that the administration received the sector in a critical state with difficulties on all fronts, citing statements from the viceminister of energy.