Colombia faces an unprecedented situation in the energy field, driven by the climate crisis generated by the El Niño phenomenon. In a context of extreme drought that has severely impacted the country’s hydroelectric production, the consumption of natural gas has experienced a drastic increase as a reliable energy alternative.
According to recent data, natural gas consumption in Colombia has reached historic figures, reaching 51,140 GBTU (Gigabritish Thermal Units) from the beginning of the year until the end of April. This figure represents double the consumption recorded during the same period of the previous year, evidencing a marked dependence on alternative energy sources in response to the reduction in the capacity of hydroelectric plants to generate electricity.
The president of Naturgas, Luz Stella Murgas, has emphasized the importance of natural gas as a reliable energy source during times of climate crisis such as the current one, highlighting its essential role in generating energy in periods of water scarcity.
The decrease in hydroelectric production has generated greater use of thermal plants fueled by natural gas. This change in the energy matrix is reflected in the maximum peak of daily consumption recorded on April 29, reaching 624 GBTU/day, which represents a significant increase compared to the same period of the previous year.
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Given this situation, Murgas has pointed out the urgent need to “prioritize and expedite the exploration and development of new deposits,” as well as “enable external supply sources” to maintain the country’s energy security. This call not only seeks to mitigate the current impact of El Niño but also prepare the sector for future climate contingencies, ensuring the diversification and sustainability of available energy sources.