Congress Advances Bill to Accelerate Clean Energy Projects in Colombia: Is It Viable?

Environmental attorney María Camila Aponte was interviewed by Valora Analitik about a bill that seeks to create a separate environmental license for non-conventional renewable energy (FNCER) projects in Colombia. Ms. Aponte highlighted the benefits of the new process, such as an expedited timeline for approval of clean energy projects and the acceleration of construction and operation for infrastructure essential for the energy transition, which contributes to decarbonization and energy supply diversification goals. She also responded to concerns about a reduction in environmental control, explaining the bill mitigates this risk by maintaining the requirement for environmental impact studies and technical visits from authorities.

"The creation of a separate environmental license will speed up the development of renewable energy projects by establishing abbreviated procedures, fixed deadlines and unification of processes," she said. "Although environmental review is one of the bottlenecks, social challenges such as consulta previa should not be overlooked."

READ: Congress Advances Bill to Accelerate Clean Energy Projects in Colombia: Is It Viable?