Prior Consultation and Community Relations in Colombia

Colombia’s Ministries of Mines and Energy and the Interior have defined how prior consultation and community participation will be central to the development of the country’s first offshore wind energy projects, during a joint webinar held with Ocean Energy Pathway.
At the meeting, officials emphasised that offshore wind projects will require a robust process of early engagement with coastal and ethnic communities as a key condition for ensuring their support and social viability.

Colombia, which is preparing to become the first country in Latin America to launch competitive bidding rounds for offshore wind energy, is thus marking a significant milestone in its energy transition. Each project is expected to attract between $3 billion and $6 billion in investment, representing a significant opportunity for both job creation and emissions reduction.

The National Prior Consultation Authority (DANCP) confirmed that offshore projects will be evaluated based on their potential cultural and socio-economic impacts, including effects on fishermen’s livelihoods and communities’ relationship with the maritime territory. For its part, the government presented its Territorial Coordination Strategy, aimed at preventing conflicts, strengthening transparency and ensuring a just energy transition as offshore wind development progresses in the country.