Colombia Lifts 760,000 People Out of Energy Poverty in 2024, Government Report Shows – Colombia One

Colombia’s Progress in Reducing Multidimensional Energy Poverty in 2024

In 2024, Colombia successfully lifted approximately 760,000 people out of multidimensional energy poverty, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy. This achievement aligns with the country’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 1: No Poverty.

Key Findings from the Second Multidimensional Energy Poverty Report (IPEM)

1. 265,886 households overcame critical energy deprivations related to lighting, reliable electricity access, and the use of electricity for cooking, refrigeration, and communication.
2. The national energy poverty rate declined from 24.3% in 2023 to 22.3% in 2024.
3. Improvements were observed in 1,023 out of 1,121 municipalities (91.3%), with 72 municipalities achieving reductions between five and ten percentage points.

Energy Minister Edwin Palma emphasized the social importance of energy access, stating, “Energy is a social mobilizer and a human right,” highlighting the role of energy in promoting well-being, health, and opportunity within households.

Regional and Structural Challenges in Energy Access

Persistent Energy Poverty in Specific Regions

• The highest concentrations of energy deprivation remain in Amazonia-Orinoquia, the Pacific region, and several Caribbean municipalities.
• Structural barriers such as dispersed settlements, high logistics costs, and limited transmission infrastructure hinder grid expansion in these areas.

Digital Divide and Educational Impact

The “learn and communicate” dimension, which includes internet access and ownership of digital devices, accounts for approximately 70.7% of the energy poverty index’s weight. This highlights the intersection of energy poverty with SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as energy access is critical for bridging educational and digital divides.

Rural-Urban Disparities and Environmental Concerns

Deep Rural-Urban Divide

• Energy poverty rates in rural areas can be nearly 11 times higher than in urban centers (48% vs. 4.3%).
• Approximately 10 million Colombians, or 18.5% of the population, live in some form of energy poverty.

Reliance on Traditional Cooking Fuels and Health Implications

• Over 1 million rural households rely on wood or charcoal for cooking.
• This practice consumes about 4 million tons of wood annually, equivalent to 68 million medium-sized trees and the clearing of 200,000 hectares of forest.
• Smoke from wood-fired stoves contributes to respiratory illnesses and increased cancer risks, particularly affecting women and children.

These challenges relate directly to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 15: Life on Land, emphasizing the need for sustainable energy solutions to improve health outcomes and protect ecosystems.

Municipalities with Highest Energy Poverty Prevalence

1. Cumaribo (Vichada) – 63.58% of households in energy poverty
2. Uribia (La Guajira) – 59.48%
3. Pacoa (Vaupes) – 58.4%
4. Yavarate (Vaupes) – 58.4%
5. Manaure (La Guajira) – 57.2%

Uribia and Manaure accounted for 21.4% of households that overcame energy deprivations in 2024. The Pacific and Orinoquia-Amazonia regions continue to face significant structural obstacles to energy access.

Government Initiatives and Sustainable Energy Solutions

Expansion and Decentralization Efforts

• Approximately 60,000 new electrical connections were installed in 2024 and 2025, including 9,000 individual photovoltaic systems.
• Priority was given to PDET territories and regions with the highest energy poverty.
• Progress attributed to a combination of network expansion, decentralized energy solutions, and targeted public programs.

Renewable Energy Development and Community Engagement

• Renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar farms in La Guajira, face social and environmental challenges including licensing, environmental regulations, and community consultations.
• The government approved a 900 billion peso (approximately US$226.7 million) package to develop 2,000 “energy communities” to promote local self-generation and broaden access.

Innovative Pilot Projects

• Small-scale technologies like individual solar systems and biodigesters are being scaled up.
• A pilot in Cesar installed nearly 100 biodigesters, producing biogas for cooking, reducing deforestation, and generating organic fertilizer.

These initiatives support SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting clean energy access, reducing environmental impact, and empowering local communities.

Conclusion

Colombia’s efforts in 2024 demonstrate significant progress toward reducing multidimensional energy poverty, contributing to multiple Sustainable Development Goals. However, persistent regional disparities and structural challenges require continued focus on targeted interventions, renewable energy expansion, and inclusive policies to ensure equitable energy access for all citizens.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article focuses on lifting people out of multidimensional energy poverty, improving access to electricity, and promoting renewable energy solutions.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Reducing energy poverty contributes to alleviating overall poverty and improving living standards.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Addressing health impacts from cooking with firewood and reducing indoor air pollution.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Improving access to energy supports educational opportunities through better lighting and digital connectivity.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Focus on rural-urban divides and targeting marginalized regions like Amazonia-Orinoquia and Pacific regions.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Promotion of renewable energy and reduction of deforestation through biodigesters and clean cooking technologies.
7. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Addressing deforestation caused by firewood consumption.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, or economic status.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
7. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests and halt deforestation.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress

1. Energy Access Indicators
   • Percentage of households lifted out of multidimensional energy poverty (decline in IPEM rate from 24.3% to 22.3%).
   • Number of new electrical connections installed (60,000 new connections, including 9,000 photovoltaic systems).
   • Access to reliable electricity for lighting, cooking, refrigeration, and communications.
2. Digital Access Indicators
   • Access to internet and ownership of digital devices (computers, smart TVs, smartphones), which account for 70.7% of the deprivation index.
3. Health and Environmental Indicators
   • Number of households cooking with firewood (over 1 million) and associated health impacts (chronic bronchitis, lung function reduction).
   • Amount of wood consumed annually (4 million tons) and deforestation area (200,000 hectares per year).
4. Geographical and Social Indicators
   • Energy poverty rates by municipality and region (e.g., Cumaribo at 63.58%, Uribia at 59.48%).
   • Rural versus urban energy poverty rates (48% rural vs. 4.3% urban).
5. Renewable Energy Development Indicators
   • Number of energy communities developed (target of 2,000 energy communities).
   • Installation of biodigesters and other decentralized clean energy technologies.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Identified in the Article

Source: colombiaone.com