Renewable

May 4 (Renewables Now) - The government of Colombia on Tuesday presented the definitive version of the nation’s offshore wind road map, and announced that it is preparing to hold the first competition for offshore wind leases.

The piece of regulation that will define the competition was to be released for public consultation on Tuesday, with the president Ivan Duque-led government hoping to be able to launch the process before its term ends this summer. The competitive procedure will be led by the ministry of mining and energy and Colombia’s national maritime authority DIMAR, the government said.

Colombia’s offshore wind road map, authored by The Renewables Consulting Group with support from the World Bank, completed the public consultation process that started in February this year. The final version repeats much of the goals, challenges and advantages that were highlighted in the draft. Colombia’s offshore wind potential is estimated at 50 GW, and the country has areas out in the sea totalling 12,200 square kilometres (4,710 sq miles) that can be used to plant offshore wind turbines.

In a high scenario, which sees the government as willing to steer the development, Colombia could have 1 GW of offshore wind farms by 2030, 3 GW by 2040 and up to 9 GW by 2050. According to the road map, offshore wind development in Colombia could bring investments of some USD 27 billion (EUR 25.6bn) by 2050.

Plans for Colombia's first offshore wind farm were announced in March this year, when the mayor of the city of Barranquilla signed a memorandum of understanding with Denmark's Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to cooperate on a 350-MW development.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.95)

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