Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced a groundbreaking green hydrogen initiative following his inspection of the Cartagena Refinery construction site. The project, leveraging newly inaugurated solar infrastructure, is projected to yield an annual production of 800 tons of green hydrogen starting April next year.
President Petro emphasized the strategic significance of green hydrogen as a versatile energy carrier that can be transported through existing natural gas pipelines. “This development opens pathways for advanced phase exports of clean energy to global markets including Europe, the United States, and China through ammonia shipping,” he stated. The president further highlighted the dual benefit of producing green urea for domestic agriculture, enhancing both energy security and agricultural productivity.
The announcement comes amid recognition of state-owned energy company Ecopetrol’s progressive strides in Colombia’s energy transition. However, President Petro identified a significant regulatory barrier: current legislation prohibits Ecopetrol from electricity generation for public distribution. Despite energy transition being a government priority, amending this restriction falls entirely under Congressional authority.
“Ecopetrol must pursue legislative reform to enable commercial electricity generation,” Petro asserted, underscoring the need for regulatory modernization to align with national energy objectives.
The green hydrogen facility, operating at five megawatts capacity, will produce premium-quality hydrogen for hydrotreating processes at the Cartagena refinery. This integration is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 7,700 tons annually while simultaneously diminishing the carbon footprint of refined fuels. The project represents a crucial step toward enhancing Colombia’s energy independence and establishing the country as a participant in the global clean energy market.