About 16% of industrial companies switched to coal amid limitations and deficits in gas supply
The measures respond to the tightness in supply and demand. Photo: iStock
TL;DR
- 16% of large industrial companies in Colombia have switched from natural gas to coal, fuel oil, and LPG.
- This shift was driven by supply limitations and contractual decisions, with companies opting for short-term economic alternatives.
- The switch to alternative fuels has led to an estimated annual increase of 164,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
- Colombia imports 21% of its gas consumption, and potential El Niño intensification could increase demand for thermal generation.
- Existing regasification infrastructure, like the Barú plant, operates at maximum capacity (475 million cubic feet daily).
- New regasification infrastructure projects are under evaluation but depend on final investment decisions and regulatory approvals.
- The Pacific project is the only confirmed new infrastructure for the short term, with an estimated capacity of 60 million cubic feet daily.
- The government's agility in granting necessary permits is critical for new infrastructure to become operational before periods of high demand.
- Options like reactivating existing infrastructure (e.g., the Antonio Ricaurte gas pipeline) and utilizing liquid imports are also being considered.