The Energy Transition in Colombia

Colombia’s pursuit of an energy transition reflects its growing alignment with global climate objectives and its aspiration to modernise its economy through more sustainable and diversified energy systems. As a resource-rich nation with a long history of extractive industries, Colombia is now seeking to pivot from traditional hydrocarbon dependence towards cleaner energy sources such as solar and hydropower, while also positioning itself as a future supplier of critical minerals vital to global decarbonisation efforts. The country holds a varied portfolio of strategic resources, including copper, nickel, platinum, and barium, minerals increasingly in demand for renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. Yet Colombia’s energy transition is shaped as much by political geography as by geology. Its decentralised governance structures layered environmental regulations, and the need to navigate Indigenous and Afro-Colombian land rights introduce significant legal and operational complexity. Moreover, the country’s mineral-rich regions are often characterised by social conflict, illicit economies, and fragile institutions, complicating efforts to build secure and transparent supply chains. Colombia’s engagement with international frameworks such as the OECD, IADB, and G77 underscores its desire to integrate into responsible global markets but also reveals the tension between attracting foreign investment and asserting national sovereignty over its natural resources. In this evolving context, Colombia’s energy transition is not only a technical or economic challenge, it is a geopolitical balancing act between development, governance, and global demand.