Colombia plans offshore renewable energy projects
- Roldán Logistics
- Mar 17
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 31
Colombia's Mining-Energy Planning Unit (UPME) has announced a package of measures to boost the development of strategic offshore wind energy projects. This plan is part of a comprehensive strategy to promote technologies that facilitate the country's energy transition. The incorporation of offshore wind farms is crucial for Colombia to achieve its goals of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by the end of the 2030s and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
What are the challenges of offshore renewable energy projects?
Colombia faces significant challenges in its energy mix. Currently, approximately 67% of the country's electricity comes from hydroelectric plants, making both the amount and price of energy generated vulnerable to droughts, such as the current one. The pursuit of energy self-sufficiency and environmental preservation are priority issues on the national agenda, which has generated significant interest both nationally and internationally in the first round of offshore wind farms.
Additionally, offshore renewable energy projects, such as wind power, face a series of logistical challenges that can affect their development and viability. Some of the main challenges are detailed below:
Transport and assembly of equipment :
Component Size and Weight : Offshore wind turbines are significantly larger and heavier than their onshore counterparts. Transporting and erecting these structures requires specialized vessels and high-capacity cranes, which increases project costs and complexity.
Maritime Conditions : Transportation and assembly operations are subject to weather and sea conditions, which can cause delays and increase costs. Storms and heavy waves can severely limit the time available for these operations.
Port infrastructure :
Port Capacity : Not all ports have the infrastructure necessary to handle the size and weight of wind turbine components. Adapting or building suitable ports can be a costly and time-consuming process.
Access to installation sites : The distance from the port to the installation site can be considerable, which implies higher transportation and logistics costs.
Maintenance and Operations :
Turbine Access : Maintenance of offshore wind turbines requires regular access, which can be complicated by maritime conditions. Maintenance operations can be costly and require specialized personnel and appropriate equipment.
Service life and decommissioning : At the end of a turbine's service life, dismantling and disposal of components also presents significant logistical challenges, including materials handling and marine environmental restoration.
Supply Chains :
Dependence on international suppliers : Many critical components for offshore wind projects are manufactured abroad, which can create dependence on global supply chains. Disruptions in these chains, such as those caused by pandemics or geopolitical conflicts, can impact project schedules and costs.
Materials Logistics : Coordinating the delivery of materials and components from different parts of the world requires meticulous logistics planning and can be susceptible to delays and cost increases.
Regulations and permits :
Environmental and maritime regulations : Projects must comply with a range of environmental and maritime regulations, which can complicate logistics and increase planning and execution times.
Permits and approvals : Obtaining the necessary permits to operate in territorial waters can be a long and complex process, affecting the logistical planning of the project.
Transmission infrastructure :
Grid Connection : Connecting offshore wind farms to the onshore grid requires underwater transmission infrastructure, which presents additional logistical challenges, such as cable installation and coordination with utility companies.
Market characteristics and competitiveness
The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) is leading the competitive process seeking to grant Temporary Occupation Permits for the development of offshore wind energy projects in Colombia's Central Caribbean region. This process, which began in December 2023 and is expected to end on October 14, 2025, is a milestone in the country's transition to non-conventional renewable energy sources.
Nine companies, seven foreign and two Colombian, have expressed interest in participating. The foreign companies include BlueFloat Energy (Spain), Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (Denmark), Jan de Nul and Deme (Belgium), Powerchina and China Three Gorges Corporation (China), and Dyna Energy (United Kingdom). The local companies are Ecopetrol and Celsia. The projects will be carried out primarily in shallow and deep water maritime areas of the departments of Atlántico, Bolívar, southern Magdalena, and northern Sucre.
Challenges and Strategies
Globally, the wind energy industry is facing a crisis due to inflation and high logistics costs, challenges that could also affect this competitive process. Experiences in Europe and the United States highlight the need for effective coordination in electricity transmission infrastructure planning and the provision of incentives for wind energy project development.
Despite these challenges, Colombia is determined to advance the development of offshore wind energy. Relaxing criteria for accrediting developers' capabilities and promoting collaboration between public and joint ventures in the Colombian energy sector and selected foreign developers are key strategies for overcoming these obstacles and achieving the country's energy goals.
Potential of the Colombian Caribbean
Colombia has significant resources for offshore wind power generation. With an estimated potential of 109 GW, it is among the countries with the largest resources of this type in the region. Studies conducted on the Caribbean coast reveal that specific areas, such as eastern La Guajira, have net capacity factors exceeding 70%, ranking among the highest in the world.
"We see solid market fundamentals in Colombia: excellent wind resources, a clear need for energy diversification, and strong political support," said the Dyna Energy co-founder in a telephone interview with BN Americas.
Impact and benefits of offshore renewable energy projects
If the first round of wind energy blocks is successful, the selected developers will make a significant contribution to Colombia's ability to increase its energy security, sustainability, and equity. By increasing the presence of non-conventional renewable energy sources in its energy mix, the country seeks to position itself as a regional leader in the fight against climate change and promoting sustainable economic development.
The development of offshore wind energy in Colombia represents a crucial step toward a more sustainable and resilient energy transition. With government support and the participation of national and international companies, the country is on its way to diversifying its energy mix and reducing its dependence on non-renewable sources.
Roldán Project Division has provided comprehensive logistics services to large renewable energy projects in Colombia . We are committed to collaboration between experts in foreign trade, logistics and renewable energy to overcome challenges and take advantage of the potential for the development of this type of projects in Colombia.
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