Colombia's 360 MW Solar Park Begins Operations

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Puerta de Oro solar park, developed by Patria Investments in Colombia's Cundinamarca department, has commenced commercial operations, delivering 360 megawatts of power to the National Interconnected System (SIN). Located between the municipalities of Guaduas and Chaguaní, it is the second-largest solar facility in the country by installed capacity.

Colombia's largest photovoltaic plant is currently the 486.7 MW Guayepo I & II solar park, operated by Italian energy company Enel, located in Ponedera and Sabanalarga in the Atlántico department.

The facility is equipped with over 511,000 photovoltaic modules. According to Patria Investments, the project will generate enough electricity to power more than 450,000 homes and contribute nearly 5% to Colombia's renewable energy integration targets. Annual generation is expected to exceed 700 GWh.

The facility connects to the National Interconnected System (SIN) via a 23-kilometer, 230 kV transmission line that crosses the Magdalena River using towers over 110 meters high. According to the company, the construction phase created over 1,100 jobs, 95% of which were filled by local workers.

Luis Alberto Páez, Executive Director of Patria Investments' energy division in Colombia, stated: "The start of operations allows us to fulfill commitments made in the 2024 auction and the 2025 restructuring process ahead of schedule." He added: "This early injection of stable power enhances the reliability of the national electricity system."

According to previous information from the Cundinamarca Governor's Office, the project investment is approximately $280 million. The facility includes 330 inverters and connects to the San Felipe substation in Armero-Guayabal, Tolima department, via new transmission infrastructure.

In November 2020, Colombia's Ministry of Mines and Energy approved a draft resolution declaring the project and the land required for its construction as a public utility and social interest.

In May 2024, the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) issued an environmental permit for the 230 kV transmission line connecting the solar park to the National Interconnected System (SIN), with power transmitted via the San Felipe substation in Armero-Guayabal, Tolima department.

In November 2024, it was reported that the National Development Finance Agency (FDN) provided financing for 20% of the project's required capital. By September 2025, Puerta de Oro had secured $138.5 million in external loans from the National Development Finance Agency (FDN) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).