Ladies and gentlemen, dear participants, distinguished guests:
Good morning and welcome to ENERCOL 2023, the 40th Colombian Energy conference.
I must begin by thanking the Colombian Association of Engineers (ACIEM) for their kind invitation to preside the organizing committee of the academic agenda of this event. It has been an enriching challenge personally and professionally, which has allowed me to learn from an outstanding group of professionals who have generously donated their time and knowledge. I also want to recognize the work of Luz Marina Oviedo and Mauricio Medina and their team, without whom none of this would be possible.
For me, it is an honor to be before you today: such a diverse and qualified group of people, including representatives of government, private industry, and academia, both national and international, who gather here today to explore the energy future of Colombia.
The energy transition is not just a buzz phrase, but a fundamental transformation of the future of Colombia's energy sector. As engineers, we applaud the fact that the issue of energy is no longer just a matter for technical people but has become a subject of political and social discussion. We understand, however, that, in this new scenario, the conversations are more complex and that it will be more difficult to find consensus. It is our mandate at ENERCOL to help find new syntheses. And collaborate in the formation of consensus.
Nature has endowed Colombia with important natural resources, particularly in the form of fossil fuels: oil, gas, and coal, as well as a privileged hydrographic basin; Today we would add the wind and the sun and, why not, mining. Substantial industrial, technical, economic, and social benefits have originated from the utilization of these resources; They have driven the growth and development of the country and its people for decades. There is no doubt that this development has not been perfect. And it is our responsibility to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes.
We engineers know that the transition, understood as a succession of changes towards another state, is nothing more than the natural evolution of the universe; It is not the exception, it is the rule. Facing the urgent need to address the critical issues of global warming, energy security and economic development, a trilemma that has no obvious or simple solution, is the natural mission of the engineer; It is a challenge that one must address understanding that trade-offs and sustainable solutions are required. Approaching these questions expecting to find easy solutions is a sure formula for failure.
We find ourselves at a crossroads. The world is changing and the political, social, economic and energy landscape is evolving at an unprecedented speed. The challenges are undeniable.
But in every challenge, there is an opportunity. The energy transition offers us the opportunity to transform these challenges into engines of progress and economic prosperity. We find ourselves on the threshold of an era in which renewable energy sources, sustainability and technological innovation emerge as the pillars of a possible future. Thinking that we can stop the social, economic, and political forces that promote new energy scenarios is naive, or at the very least short-sighted. At the same time, believing that this transition is already defined and that the solutions are totally defined and only waiting to be implemented, and should not pass the technological and economic filters that society demands of those who manage public money, is equally naive.
Our deliberations over the next two days seek to examine, although not exhaust, various aspects of the energy transition: from the institutional framework to public policies, from the continued relevance of fossil fuels to renewable energies, from the role of companies to the role of communities.
But let us not forget in these deliberations that the transition we want requires collaboration and commitment from all sectors: government, industry, academia, and civil society. Our efforts will not only impact our environment but will also shape the competitiveness and resilience of the nation's economy for years to come. Although the discussion is in the here and now, it is future generations who will benefit or not from the decisions of the present.
Allow me to share what, I believe, are the main elements of the Possible Transition:
1. **Clear Vision**: Colombia needs a comprehensive and coherent vision for its energy transition, which combines climate objectives with the pursuit of well-being for the majority. We must establish clear objectives, timelines, and milestones to guide our path forward.
2. **Diversification**: While fossil fuels have been a driving force of the economy, we must diversify our energy mix to include renewable energy such as solar, wind and hydropower. This reduces our carbon footprint, and creates new sources of investment and improves energy security, especially in the long term.
3. **Technology and innovation**: The energy transition is not just about changing energy sources; It's about harnessing technology and innovation to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact, whilst allowing the spirit of innovation to permeate the rest of society.
4. **Inclusion**: We need inclusive policies that consider the needs of all parties. This includes supporting communities affected by the transition and facilitating access to affordable energy for all.
5. **Global collaboration**: Given the interconnectedness of the world, we must actively participate in international cooperation to learn from the experiences of others, access global markets, and contribute to a sustainable future.
6. **Responsible energy production**: We must also ensure the responsible production and management of our existing fossil fuel resources and new energies, minimizing their environmental impact.
The energy transition is a gradual process. Diversifying the economy by replacing fossil fuels will take time – today, close to 80% of global energy comes from fossil sources. It is a titanic task, even utopian, but not impossible. On the other hand, financing the replacement of fossil fuels, when an economy depends largely on their production and export, presents complex challenges. It requires careful planning, diversification, and comprehensive financing strategies.
Decarbonizing the economy, while we electrify it, is a laudable objective, let us not doubt it, but let us not ignore the non-technological variables that must be treated and resolved.
The growth in the use of renewable energy, wind, and solar, for example, will require tough negotiations with communities to develop projects on their lands, as the recent problems with the ENEL project in La Guajira demonstrate. And what can we say about the electrical transmission capacity that must be built to bring electricity to consumers. If today it is complex to negotiate the passage of a rig to drill a natural gas or oil well, which occupies a minimal surface area, let us imagine the complexity of reaching agreements to intervene hundreds of kilometers of territory.
If we are gathered here, it is because we understand the importance for Colombia of having access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. I invite you to an open conversation, to discover new ideas and proposals, to make Colombia a leader in the efficient use and adequate development of sustainable energy. Energy does not understand of left or right. The environment has no ideology.
I conclude by quoting Henry Palmer, a 19th century English engineer:
“The engineer is a mediator between the scientist and the working mechanic and, like an interpreter between two foreigners, he must understand the language of both, hence the absolute need to possess both practical and theoretical knowledge.”
Today we could say that the engineer must serve as a mediator between what is politically desirable and what is technologically possible, and it is necessary that he understands both the language of technology and politics.
Thank you so much.
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