• The work marks a milestone in the energy transition process of the oil company.
• It has an installed capacity of 21 megawatts and will supply energy for the next 15 years to the Castilla field, the second largest in Ecopetrol.
• Its operation will prevent the emission of more than 154 thousand tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
• More than 100 women participated in its construction.
• Four educational institutions in the area will also benefit from solar energy.
• This Park is the largest self-generation solar project in Colombia.

Ecopetrol and AES Colombia put into operation this Friday the largest solar energy self-generation park that has been built in the country, located in the municipality of Castilla La Nueva, in the department of Meta.

This solar park was built by AES Colombia at the request of Ecopetrol under a 15-year power supply contract, which includes its operation and maintenance. The investment was close to US $ 20 million.

The park has an installed capacity of 21 megawatts (MWp), equivalent to the capacity to energize a city of 27,000 inhabitants. It will serve to supply part of the energy required by the Castilla field, the second largest in Colombia with a production close to 115 thousand barrels of oil per day.

The work was executed in a record time of 7 months without disabling incidents and generated employment for 388 people, including more than 100 women, mostly from the region.

Castilla Solar Park has an area of ​​18 hectares, equivalent to 16 professional soccer fields, where more than 54,500 panels of the highest technology are located.

Its entry into operation will prevent the emission of more than 154 thousand tons of CO2 (carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to planting 16,200 trees.

The president of Ecopetrol, Felipe Bayón, said that the entry into operation of the solar park is a milestone in the process of energy transition that advances the company, which is expected to increase from 43 megawatts to more than 300 megawatts the generation of energy to from renewable sources in the coming years.

“The inauguration of this park demonstrates Ecopetrol's commitment to renewable energy. Our incursion in solar energy adds to the projects we already have from biomass generation and to the production of biofuels from cane and palm. This megapark that supplies energy to our Castilla field is the best demonstration of Colombia's energy transition, in which the generation from the sun coexists harmoniously with the production of hydrocarbons for the benefit of the country and its regions,” said Felipe Bayon

“For AES Colombia it is an honor to be able to accompany an ally like Ecopetrol in the development of its strategic plan for renewable generation. We are sure that Castilla Solar will mark the beginning and will be an example in the construction of a more sustainable energy future for our entire country,” said Federico Echavarría, general manager of AES Colombia.

Castilla Solar Park is part of the growth strategy that AES has in the country, which seeks to add 1,000 MW to 2025 in non-conventional renewable energies, demonstrating its commitment to the nation's energy development and fulfilling its mission of accelerating a more reliable and sustainable energy future for Colombia.

In parallel to the construction of the park, a project was carried out to supply solar energy to four educational institutions in the area, through the installation of independent panels that provide lighting, ventilation and cold water. The investment, which benefits about 90 children, was approximately $ 200 million.

Link to Ecopetrol Colombia country profile

* Oil & Gas company country profiles now include details of renewable energy operational activity.