Colombia Launches Its First Energy Community to Power 700 Homes with Solar

Barranquilla, Colombia’s first energy community, breaks ground in Las Gardenias

Barranquilla, the capital of Atlántico Department, has begun construction of its first energy community located in the Las Gardenias neighborhood. The project was officially announced by Mayor Alejandro Char and will bring clean, affordable power to nearly 700 households and a local educational institution.

The project involves the installation of 1,800 to 2,000 solar panels over an approximately 16,585-square-meter surface area, resulting in an installed capacity of 1.31 MW. The system will be built on a solar farm featuring agrivoltaic technology, allowing the land to serve both as an energy generator and as a productive agricultural space.

The Mayor’s Office of Barranquilla fully funds the initiative and forms part of a broader development program in the Las Gardenias area. This includes stream dredging, new road construction, and the creation of a linear park covering nearly one hectare, which will feature recreational and sports areas.

In his speech, President Gustavo Petro emphasized that the energy community will be actively involved in the production, consumption, storage, and distribution of renewable energy. The project is designed to support residents in the lowest socioeconomic strata (levels 1 and 2) as well as local institutions, helping reduce energy poverty through a distributed generation model.

Local participation is expected to play a key role in the operation and maintenance of the system, further strengthening community engagement and sustainability.