The National Environmental License Authority (Anla) confirmed that the Colectora transmission line received the green light in its environmental license. However, Juan Ricardo Ortega, president of Grupo Energía Bogota (GEB), said that There are some concerns about the permit and the conditions that were approved.
About, Fredy Zuleta, manager of Enlaza, the subsidiary in charge of the Group’s transmission infrastructure, explained what the points are for those who asked for clarifications and said that they hope they will be resolved in two months.
(In context: Grupo Energía Bogotá will present a replacement appeal for the Collector line license)
What are the characteristics of the license granted by Anla? Do you have any buts or buts about it?
It is important to say that the license is not yet firm, because we have to ask for some clarifications that are necessary and that will take time. The authority has 45 business days to respond, therefore it may take about two more months for the license to become firm. From there we are committed to building the project towards the end of the first half of 2026, between June and July.
But the date will depend on when they give us the answer and that is why we prefer not to talk about an exact date, but rather 100 weeks from when the license is issued.
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These clarifications that we ask for are important, because if they are not done immediately, a modification to the license must be made, which is a much longer process with new studies. That is why we seek to ensure that it is corrected once and for all, especially when there are issues of interpretation or data that was missing and issues that have passed.
In this very complex license, of 225 kilometers, 516 towers, issues of this nature occur, that is why we seek to put the resource, because otherwise some things will not be clear. But we want it to be clear that the license does not have difficulties, nor does it affect the project in its entirety.
What was left out or with topics to review?
There are two towers of the 516 on the entire line, that is, the percentage is minimal, but they are still two towers that must be licensed, for which we already have the arguments that could allow the authority to adjust the license.
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Fredy Zuleta, manager of Enlaza, a subsidiary of GEB
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We have some forestry exploitation areas that we need and that have an environmental management plan, but if it is not specified we would also require an additional procedure.
Finally, we have two sites that are water crossings along the access roads, for which we need approval, because they were not authorized and we need to clarify it because they are relevant to be able to access the infrastructure.
These are very small percentage things next to such a large license, but they are clarifications that must be made. We trust that they will be favorable so that we can begin construction.
Does that mean that there was no denial?
No. We hope that with the appeal the things that were denied will be reconsidered, although they are still few in any case, but they are relevant to the construction.
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Do you already have all the equipment and materials to start work?
Everything has been purchased, all the substation equipment, all the cables, all the steel for the towers and everything is already in the region, in the specific places. The construction contract for the line has also been awarded, as well as that for the substation. The contractors have already gone to see the land and are assembling their teams, so that once the license is firm we can begin construction immediately.
This is for the license for the northern part, because the southern part already has a license and we are building it.
What is its operational date before the Upme? Are they going to look for a new modification?
The official entry is estimated for June 2025. Now that we have the license and we are clear about how long it took, we will begin the process with the Ministry. We estimate that construction took 100 weeks, but this is not official data.
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Are you concerned about the enforcement of any guarantees?
No, that has no problem. That is extended once we have the new date so we do not see any difficulties there.
What investment has the project required?
At this time it is contracted, but the construction and all the works have not been executed. The total investment in the project exceeds US$250 million.
What energy capacity could move the line?
The section that is under construction today, that is, from La Loma to Cuestecitas, is a single line that has two arms, each with a circuit. The Upme had initially assigned us to build the line with one of the circuits, then through an expansion mechanism it gave us the second circuit. The project from Cuestecitas to Colectora is for two lines of towers with a line laid in each one.
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In that northern section, the capacity is 1,050 megawatts; But if Upme decided to hang the second laying of the second line, we would move up to 2,100 megawatts.
The capacity that we can move is completed with the parks that have been granted today.
How is the work on the Sogamoso – North line progressing?
The community presented the Government with a series of measures that are being evaluated and for which they asked us for our opinions. At this moment they are in the process and in the next few days they should have a final position and give a response to the community.
We propose some possibilities that could be done to meet a large part of the community’s expectations and that are also in the hands of the government at this time.
under evaluation and we hope that through these tables, where there is an open tripartite dialogue with communities, the Government and companies, we will reach solutions that allow this important project for the country to move forward.
DANIELA MORALES SOLER
Portfolio Journalist
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