Barranquilla: Energy for the Future

Barranquilla is implementing a citywide clean-energy transformation that strengthens public infrastructure, expands equitable energy access, and accelerates decarbonization. The programme integrates major investments in public-lighting modernization, utility-scale solar generation, energy-efficiency retrofits for schools, distributed rooftop PV across 300 public buildings, new energy communities serving vulnerable neighborhoods, and the early stages of offshore wind development. By combining large-scale infrastructure with community-level solar clusters and household systems, Barranquilla is reshaping its energy matrix and positioning itself as a national reference city for renewable energy deployment and social inclusion. 

Barranquilla’s implementation approach is structured across infrastructure upgrades, distributed generation, and community-level projects.

Public Lighting Modernization
From 2017 to 2019, the city executed a phased modernization of 70,000 fixtures, including prioritized expansion areas, improved illumination levels, and full telegestion (remote management). This reduced energy consumption, improved safety, and strengthened grid intelligence. 

Large-Scale Solar Park (Juan Mina, Phase I)
The city developed a 4.2 MW photovoltaic park over 8 hectares, installed with 7,620 bifacial panels, 4 inverters, and a 34.5 kV connection line. The system offsets public lighting demand and injects clean energy into the national grid. Investment was USD 5.5 million. 

Energy Communities
To reduce energy poverty, the city is building solar clusters in vulnerable neighborhoods. Eight sites (Gardenias, Entre Puentes, Villanueva, Bendición de Dios, Campo Alegre, Villas de San Pablo, Juan Mina, and La Paz) will deliver 13.5 MWp of distributed generation.

Infrastructure includes land adaptation, remote metering, agrovoltaic systems, and dedicated community lots provided by the municipality. Investment for the Gardenias cluster alone reached COP 6,076 million (USD 1.1 million)

Small-Scale Self-Generation (SSSG)
Approximately 300 public buildings are being equipped with rooftop PV (10–15 MWp), including schools, cultural centers, markets, parks, and sports facilities. This delivers major cost savings and emissions reductions. 

Household & Business Solar (A4 Solar)
A4 Solar has installed 317 kWp across 32 properties, generating 445,938 kWh/year and reducing 90.3 tons CO₂/year. Systems offer 15% savings for users. 

Energy Efficiency in Education
Over 3,000 areas in public schools were equipped with sensors for lighting and air-conditioning control to lower consumption and operational costs. 

Offshore Wind Preparation
The city is developing a 250–500 MW offshore wind zone (144 km², 8–10 m/s average wind) up to 9 km offshore. Current work includes qualification, publication, evaluation, and regulatory preparation. 

The city works with national, private, and community actors to deliver its energy transition.

• K-YENA S.A.S:  design and construction of lighting and solar systems
• Triple A: energy self-generation partner and A4 Solar implementer
• Air-e: grid operator supporting 34.5 kV connections
• Community leaders and associations: governance of Energy Communities
• Municipal departments: planning, environment, public works, education

Public engagement and education strengthen uptake and user ownership.

• Community workshops in Gardenias, Villas de San Pablo, La Paz and others
• Public campaigns showcasing energy results and benefits
• School-based programmes tied to efficiency retrofits
• Public promotion of residential solar options via A4 Solar

A combination of local public funds, private partners and land contributions enable delivery.

• USD 20.4 million (85,000 million COP) – Public lighting modernization
• USD 5.5 million – Solar Park Phase I (Juan Mina)
• USD 1.1 million (COP 6,076 million) – Energy Communities Gardenias (design + construction)
• Municipality provides land lots and infrastructure adaptation
• Triple A and A4 Solar mobilize private capital in residential and commercial PV
• Additional financing anticipated for offshore wind preparatory work

The programme delivers measurable environmental, social, and operational value.

• Lower municipal energy expenditure and reduced peak loads
• Better street illumination and public-space safety across multiple districts
• Improved grid stability through distributed PV
• Reduced energy poverty in vulnerable communities
• Increased adoption of smart-energy technologies (sensors, telegestion)
• Strengthened local capacity in solar installation, monitoring, and maintenance
• Tangible climate benefits from large-scale emissions reductions

Implementation has required navigating several structural and logistical constraints.

• Complex site conditions for community solar (uneven terrain, informal land use)
• High upfront costs for residential users despite long-term savings
• Grid-connection permitting for large PV systems
• Consumption rebound risks in energy-efficient buildings
• Need for national-level clarity for offshore wind licensing and environmental protocols

Barranquilla’s integrated model, combining municipal leadership, multi-scale solar deployment, energy-efficiency retrofits, and future-proof wind potential, offers a practical blueprint for Latin American cities with similar climatic and social conditions.

Its replicability stems from:

• modular project design (clusters, rooftops, utility-scale parks);
• land contributions and agile municipal coordination;
• clear alignment with community needs;
• synergy between public infrastructure and household-level solutions; and
• strong partnerships with utilities and private operators.

Cities with high informality or energy poverty can particularly benefit from the energy-community model, which combines economic relief, clean supply, and social participation.

Overall, Barranquilla demonstrates how renewable energy can drive social inclusion, institutional modernization, and climate ambition simultaneously.

• Alcaldía de Barranquilla – Energy Transition
• Ministry of Mines & Energy (Colombia) – Offshore Wind Roadmap
• Colombian Technology Catalogue Generation and Storage of Electricity
• Air-e – Regional grid operator for the Atlantic region
• Nature Positive Cities: Barranquilla – World Economic Forum

Carlos Sarabia
CEO
K-Yena