As President Gustavo Petro pushes Colombia to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, an unintended consequence is becoming evident: an increased need for natural gas imports. Along Colombia’s Caribbean coast near Cartagena, massive tankers are frequently arriving to unload liquefied natural gas (LNG). These imports are necessary because the country’s domestic gas reserves are running low, a situation exacerbated by Petro’s refusal to approve new drilling contracts.
However, the process of liquefying and shipping gas from countries like the US requires substantial energy, which in turn increases emissions, making it more harmful to the environment than domestically produced gas. Critics argue that Petro’s firm stance on phasing out local fossil fuel production, even at the cost of relying on imports, undermines his environmental goals. “Colombia is giving a lesson to the world on what not to do in terms of energy transition,” said Camilo Prieto, a professor of climate change and public health at Javeriana University in Bogotá.
Promigas, a major energy company, is expanding its LNG port in Colombia by 5% this year to handle 475 million cubic feet of gas per day. Despite this growing dependence on imports, officials from Petro’s government have downplayed the situation, insisting there is no gas shortage. Mines and Energy Minister Andres Camacho emphasized that the country has short-term solutions in place to meet fuel demands, and that long-term plans for solar and wind energy will eventually reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
However, the increasing LNG imports highlight the complex nature of transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy. Developing energy systems takes decades, and retooling them is no easy task. California, for example, has struggled with energy shortages due to closing many of its gas plants, leading to calls for widespread conservation and the use of diesel generators during peak electricity demand. Similarly, in Europe, countries have faced rising electricity prices and a return to high-emission oil plants when wind farm output drops.
Colombia, which has historically produced enough gas to meet its needs, is Latin America’s seventh-largest gas producer. However, the country’s gas reserves have been declining for the past decade. When Petro took office in 2022, the nation already faced looming gas shortages. Rather than seeking new sources, Petro blocked new licenses for exploration and halted two gas extraction projects with Exxon Mobil, which could have helped mitigate the looming shortage.
In late 2023, at a United Nations climate conference in Dubai, Petro announced that Colombia would join a growing group of nations pledging to phase out fossil fuels, making him a prominent figure in the global fight against climate change. This move put Colombia at the forefront of the “fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty,” which had previously been endorsed mostly by small island nations.
While Petro’s commitment to climate action has made him a key global leader, it has raised concerns at home. Colombia’s demand for gas is expected to surpass domestic production by 5% this year and by 17% in 2026. Angela Cadena, a former head of the national energy and mining planning unit, criticized the government for creating an energy crunch that has forced factories and businesses to scramble for gas supplies. “It’s obtuse not to explore in Colombia,” she said.
State-run Ecopetrol plans to reduce its reliance on LNG imports by using diesel to power its operations, thereby freeing up gas for homes and businesses. However, critics point out that burning diesel emits more carbon dioxide than natural gas, worsening the country’s carbon footprint.
Despite the challenges, LNG shipments have already begun arriving in Colombia. Last year, the country imported a record amount of LNG, with nearly 60% of it coming from the US and the rest from Trinidad and Tobago. This gas has primarily been used to fuel power plants, which were heavily relied upon during a drought that reduced hydroelectric output. In late 2023, LNG was also imported to supply homes and factories, with more shipments expected.
Each LNG shipment that arrives in Colombia has a higher carbon footprint than domestically produced gas. Shipping liquefied gas across long distances increases its environmental impact, with estimates suggesting that LNG from the US generates around 50% more emissions than Colombia’s own gas.
Camilo Prieto suggests that if Petro truly wants to combat climate change, his focus should be on halting deforestation and expanding cattle ranches, which he sees as a more effective strategy than pushing for an end to fossil fuels. Camacho, however, defended Petro’s decision to halt new gas exploration, stating that exploring for new wells does not guarantee success. He pointed to potential deepwater gas reserves in the Caribbean, which could triple Colombia’s gas reserves, though production is not expected to begin until at least 2029.
In the meantime, Colombia is betting on renewable energy to fill the gap left by declining gas production. However, to avoid LNG imports in the short term, the country’s solar capacity would need to double, which is unlikely to happen before the end of 2028. Camacho acknowledged the difficulty of Colombia’s situation, noting that while other countries had the luxury of using fossil fuels to build their economies, Colombia must forge its own path.
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