Colombia Introduces Electricity Consumption Incentives Amid Severe Drought

Colombia's government has introduced new incentives to reduce electricity consumption amid a severe drought that has diminished the capacity of local hydroelectric plants. The measures include charging additional fees for homes and businesses that exceed their average monthly electrical consumption, while offering discounts to those who use less electricity than usual.

The goal is to stop the waste of electricity, especially among large consumers, and help local reservoirs recover. Colombia usually gets 70% of its electricity from dams, but the prolonged dry season has increased imports of fossil fuels and made the country more dependent on power plants that run on natural gas, which currently supply 50% of the nation's electrical needs.

Why this matters: The drought has threatened supplies of tap water, leading to water rationing in the capital, Bogotá. Similar power cuts have also been implemented in neighboring Ecuador, which usually draws 75% of its electricity from hydroelectric power. The measures aim to reduce power usage and boost reservoir levels to avoid more severe impacts.

The ministry of mines and energy announced the resolution, hoping it will bring the country's reservoirs close to 60% of their capacity. "We are hoping to save water in our reservoirs, which is what will allow us to avoid rationing of electricity as well as water," Energy Minister Irene Vélez said.

The drought has brought officials close to imposing power cuts, a step that has not been taken since a drought in 2016 led to energy rationing in several cities. The dry season has also led to water rationing in Bogotá, with the city imposing fines on wasteful water usage.

Colombia's new measures aim to reduce electricity consumption by up to 5% in the next two months. Officials hope the incentives will help the country shift its energy mix while avoiding more drastic measures like power cuts, as it grapples with the impacts of the severe drought on its hydroelectric capacity and water supplies.

Key Takeaways

• Colombia introduces incentives to cut electricity use amid severe drought.
• Drought reduces hydroelectric capacity, forcing reliance on fossil fuel plants.
• Measures aim to save water in reservoirs and avoid electricity/water rationing.
• Goal is to reduce electricity consumption by up to 5% in 2 months.
• Similar power cuts implemented in neighboring Ecuador due to drought.