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CIHC Special Feature

2026

Atlántico, a Department in the Colombian Caribbean, Strengthens Its Leadership in the Energy Transition Within the Framework of the National Congress

Author：

Catherine Lafaurie

Atlántico, a Department in the Colombian Caribbean, Strengthens Its Leadership in the Energy Transition Within the Framework of the National Congress

Barranquilla is consolidating its role as a key hub in the country’s energy dialogue with the First National Congress on Just Energy Transition and Climate Change Adaptation. The event brings together public, private, and academic stakeholders to help define Colombia’s path toward a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive energy model.

More than just an event, the congress—held on April 15 and 16 at the Universidad del Norte campus in Barranquilla—represents the convergence of initiatives already underway in the Atlántico department, demonstrating that the region’s energy transition is not a future promise, but an ongoing process that integrates knowledge, public policy, and implementation.

A space to build the energy roadmap

In partnership with Universidad del Norte and the Superintendence of Residential Public Utilities, and led by Air-e, with the participation of national entities, sector experts, and academia, the congress addressed the main challenges of the energy transition from multiple dimensions: technical, regulatory, environmental, and social. This comprehensive approach responds to the need to move toward a transition that is not only environmentally sustainable, but also equitable and viable within the Colombian territorial context.

The event was thus positioned as a strategic platform for knowledge exchange, stakeholder alignment, and consensus-building around key issues such as decarbonization, energy security, and climate change adaptation.

According to what was reported by El Heraldo, Air-e stated that “this congress represents a key opportunity to promote dialogue between the government, the productive sector, academia, and communities, with the aim of building solutions that enable progress toward a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive energy system for Colombia.”

Academia as a driver of concrete solutions

In this context, Universidad del Norte plays a fundamental role by presenting tangible advances in applied research that reflect how the energy transition is already taking shape in the region.

Among its initiatives are solar generation projects and the development of solutions based on salinity gradient energy—also known as blue energy—which leverage the region’s natural conditions to produce energy sustainably. These proposals not only deliver technological innovation, but also strengthen human capital development and promote a culture of sustainability.

The participation of academia in the congress is significant: it demonstrates that scientific knowledge is aligned with the territory’s needs and ready to be scaled into real-world applications.

Atlántico moves toward becoming a green hydrogen hub

In parallel, the Department of Atlántico has taken decisive steps to consolidate its position as a strategic hub in the development of green hydrogen in Colombia. Through institutional initiatives aimed at coordinating stakeholders and structuring a regional ecosystem, the Governor’s Office is promoting the creation of a hub to develop, attract, and implement projects in this key decarbonization technology.

On March 27, 2026, with the symbolic signing of the statement of interest document, the department took a key step toward establishing the Atlántico Hydrogen Hub under the leadership of Governor Eduardo Verano, with the commitment of public, private, and academic stakeholders that make up the regional ecosystem.

Green hydrogen is emerging as one of the pillars of the global energy transition, and Atlántico aims to leverage its competitive advantages—such as its geographic location, access to renewable resources, and logistical capacity—to lead this process at the national level.

“We have taken a fundamental step toward establishing a Hydrogen Hub in our department. This requires a clear framework and definitions; therefore, the Governor’s Office will oversee a major committee that includes an advisory board with participation from academia, the District of Barranquilla, municipal governments, research centers, and the business sector. The goal is to create a coordination structure that enables the development of the green hydrogen ecosystem. This is the future, and if we want to build it, we need organization, a clear framework, and defined goals—and that is what we are advancing with today’s meeting,” stated the governor.

Governor Eduardo Verano led the signing of the expression of interest to consolidate an ecosystem that brings together the public and private sectors and academia, defining a roadmap to materialize this strategic initiative for the productive, energy, and technological development of the department and the Caribbean region . Source: Government of the Department of Atlántico

From isolated initiatives to an integrated ecosystem

What emerges from this set of efforts is a deeper transformation: the shift from individual initiatives toward the consolidation of an integrated energy ecosystem.

The congress acts as a catalyst for this dynamic by connecting three fundamental dimensions:

• Policy and strategy definition, driven by the public sector
• Knowledge generation and innovation, led by academia
• Implementation and operations, carried out by the private sector

This coordination is essential to ensure that the energy transition does not remain at a conceptual level, but translates into concrete projects with real impact on the region’s economic, social, and environmental development.

A vision for the future of the Colombian Caribbean

Atlántico is building a distinct narrative within Colombia’s energy landscape—one in which the transition is not just a goal, but a structured, collaborative process already underway.

The combination of dialogue platforms such as the congress, scientific advances from academia, and territorial strategies like the green hydrogen hub positions the department as an emerging benchmark in the country’s energy transformation.

In a global context where decarbonization and climate resilience are urgent priorities, the Colombian Caribbean is beginning to emerge not just as a participant, but as a key player in shaping the energy system of the future.