Colombia’s Mines and Energy Minister Edwin Palma defended his handling of the Air-e financial crisis—ongoing since early 2026 with $1.6 trillion in debts—and announced key steps: a targeted $8/kWh surcharge on high-income users, a Creg proposal for more energy contracting ahead of El Niño, and calls for structural reforms in the Caribbean region's electricity sector.
Mines and Energy Minister Edwin Palma addressed the persistent financial woes of Air-e, the electricity distributor serving Atlántico, Magdalena, and La Guajira (11.4% of national demand), which has been under intervention by the Superintendencia de Servicios Públicos since accumulating $1.6 trillion in debts to generators and transmitters.
"Although Air-e’s owners have subjected me to judicial harassment, I will not stop working... for the right to energy for the people of the Caribbean," Palma stated on social media.
Building on the January draft resolution for a temporary $8/kWh transport surcharge—which initially targeted national users—the government is now preparing a focused version for strata 4, 5, and 6 to generate $235 billion in the first year, boosting liquidity. Viceminister Paternina highlighted structural issues like non-technical losses, poor collections, and investment shortfalls, noting the measure's urgency ahead of El Niño in four months.
Palma also proposed to the Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (Creg) rule adjustments allowing Air-e to contract maximum energy for 2027, reducing spot market risks, and urged public generators to prioritize supply. Speaking at the SER Colombia Renewables Encounter and Fair, he warned of an imminent "systemic crisis" if El Niño worsens, criticizing the private electricity market model after seven firms failed in the region post-Electricaribe's debts.
Long-term, Palma advocated Colombia Solar and distributed generation solutions for the Caribbean.
