Colombia Approves Grid Connection for 200 MW Ariguaní Solar Plant

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Colombia's National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) has granted an environmental license for the interconnection project between the Ariguaní photovoltaic plant (200 MWac) and the La Loma 500 kV substation. The project is located within the municipalities of El Paso and Chiriguaná in the department of Cesar.

The connection infrastructure is the responsibility of Grupo Energía Bogotá S.A. E.S.P., and its purpose is to deliver electricity generated by its solar plant into the National Transmission System. The works include the construction, operation, and maintenance of a 500 kV single-circuit transmission line with a total length of 6.08 kilometers and an intervention area of 42.99 hectares.

The Ariguaní photovoltaic plant itself received its environmental license in late 2025. Developed by Xuenergy FV in Chiriguaná, it has an installed capacity of 200 MWac (alternating current) and 250 MWp (direct current).

In the new license, ANLA has outlined management obligations related to the environmental impacts of the transmission line. Given that the project will intervene in 15.14 hectares of natural, semi-natural, and transformed ecosystems, Grupo Energía Bogotá is required to compensate for residual biological impacts across an area of 18.48 hectares.

The approved restoration plan focuses on ecological recovery and sustainable use. These measures will be implemented directly by the company through conservation agreements signed with landowners or relevant parties in the selected areas.

ANLA stated that this decision is based on a comprehensive assessment of the region's socio-environmental characteristics and the impacts associated with the connection infrastructure. The analysis team involved professionals specializing in forestry, civil engineering, environmental science, agronomy, biology, hydrology, hydrogeology, geology, economics, and social sciences.