Renewable energy is a key focus for Colombia's clean energy future, but ensuring grid stability and flexibility is crucial. In an interview with BNamericas, Roberto Lares, the managing director of Wärtsilä in Colombia, highlights the importance of flexible thermoelectric plants in maintaining grid stability. Lares emphasizes the need for stability mechanisms such as batteries, synchronous capacitors, and flexible generation plants to address the country's dependence on hydropower and vulnerability to droughts [2f3e7daa].
To support the integration of more renewables, Lares suggests that thermal generation assets should provide flexibility. He recommends that the government hold an auction for thermal technologies that are both firm and flexible. Lares estimates that approximately 1GW in thermal projects should be awarded by 2030 to ensure a stable and reliable network [2f3e7daa].
Lares also discusses the potential for hydrogen consumption in Colombia. He mentions the viability of using offshore wind projects as a supplier of green energy and highlights the need for a regasification, storage, and regasification terminal on the Atlantic coast to secure gas supply in the short and medium term [2f3e7daa].
Furthermore, Lares mentions Wärtsilä's development of power plants ready to run on 100% hydrogen. These plants have the potential to operate in Colombia and contribute to the country's clean energy goals [2f3e7daa].