Enel, the Colombian unit of Italy's largest utility company, has indefinitely halted the construction of a wind farm in northern Colombia following a series of protests by local communities. The decision comes after Enel recently reached an agreement with the communities to proceed with the development, ending three years of delays.
The Windpeshi Wind Farm project, situated in the municipalities of Maicao and Uribia in Colombia's La Guajira department near the Venezuelan border, was expected to generate 1,011 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, providing power to approximately 500,000 homes.
However, the project's construction has been disrupted by blockades organized by the local indigenous Wayuu communities since 2021. These ongoing protests have hindered progress and led to Enel's difficult decision.
Eugenio Calderon, Enel Green Power's manager for Colombia and Central America, expressed his disappointment, stating, “This decision not only affects us as a company but also as citizens committed to the energy transition.” He further explained that after conducting rigorous analyses and feasibility studies, it was determined that completing the project was not feasible.
Calderon emphasized the importance of sustainability and collaboration between companies, institutions, and communities for the success of such projects. He stated, “Projects need to be sustainable both socially and economically,” implying that a balanced approach is crucial.
Enel Colombia has announced that it will assess options for selling the project. They are also open to facilitating the necessary agreements to allow the national government or interested companies in the sector to continue the construction.
The exact value of the project has not been disclosed by Enel at this time.
The Association for Renewable Energies Colombia, a prominent union in the sector, has reported that numerous renewable energy projects in the La Guajira region, awarded since 2019, have been put on hold due to difficulties in community consultations and obtaining environmental licenses.
The indefinite suspension of the Windpeshi Wind Farm serves as a setback for Colombia's renewable energy goals. The country has been striving to expand its renewable energy capacity and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The challenges faced in the La Guajira region highlight the importance of effective community engagement and streamlined regulatory processes to foster sustainable energy development in Colombia.
