Colombia tops 3 GW in solar PV as utility-scale boom accelerates

Colombia has exceeded 3 GW of installed solar capacity, marking a significant milestone in its transition towards a cleaner and more diversified power mix. According to the Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME), the government agency responsible for energy sector planning, the country now has 1,600 MW in commercial operation and 1,400 MW in the testing phase.

This rapid growth highlights the increasing role of solar PV in Colombia’s power sector, traditionally dominated by hydropower and thermal generation. The expansion reflects stronger regulatory frameworks, declining technology costs and growing private investment in renewable energy.

The 10 largest solar PV projects in Colombia

The current solar landscape is led by large-scale utility projects distributed across several regions, taking advantage of high solar irradiation levels, available land and improved grid integration capacity.

The 370 MW Guayepo project in Atlántico currently ranks as the country’s largest operational solar plant. Meanwhile, the 300 MW Puerta de Oro project in Cundinamarca is undergoing testing and is expected to strengthen supply in the Andean region.

In Tolima, the 160 MW Shangri La plant adds further capacity to Colombia’s central grid, while Latam Solar La Loma in Cesar contributes 150 MW in the north of the country. These projects illustrate the geographic diversification of large-scale renewable energy investments.

Colombia’s solar surge is not coincidental. Several structural factors have converged:

• Falling levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar PV

• Greater diversification of investment capital

• Clearer market rules for independent power producers (IPPs)

• Improved conditions for power purchase agreements (PPAs)

• Enhanced transmission planning and grid access frameworks

Together, these elements have enabled larger projects to reach financial close and begin injecting renewable electricity into the national interconnected system.

New long-term renewable auction in 2026

Growth in solar PV is also aligned with fresh regulatory signals designed to increase investor confidence.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy recently published a draft resolution launching Colombia’s first long-term renewable energy auction for 2026. The mechanism will allow contracts of up to 15 years and is expected to be awarded before June 2026.

The auction will operate under a “pay-as-contracted” scheme and include hourly energy products. Importantly, it will also enable participation from battery energy storage systems (BESS) and new projects with installed capacity of 5 MW or more.

The objective is to facilitate further integration of clean energy into the system and help electricity retailers comply with renewable procurement obligations, which have progressed more slowly than expected in the Colombian market.

Crossing the 3 GW threshold confirms that solar PV is no longer marginal in Colombia. Instead, it is becoming a structural pillar of the country’s energy transition strategy.

If the 2026 auction proceeds as planned and grid expansion keeps pace, Colombia could consolidate its position as one of Latin America’s fastest-growing solar markets, reinforcing its attractiveness for international renewable energy investors and infrastructure funds.