Colombia's state-owned utility company Empresa Publica de Medellin (EPM) faces three major challenges this year: the looming threat of El Niño, ensuring a stable supply of natural gas, and advancing its ambitious Afinia project. These issues have placed EPM under intense scrutiny as it navigates a complex energy landscape marked by rising operational costs, regulatory pressures, and climate-related uncertainties. The company reported consolidated revenues of 40.6 trillion pesos in 2025, with net profits growing by nine percent to reach 5.3 trillion pesos. Of these earnings, nearly half came from power generation, driven by hydroelectric and thermal operations, while distribution accounted for 27 percent and water services for 15 percent. The primary challenge lies in managing the potential impacts of El Niño, which could significantly reduce rainfall and lower water levels in reservoirs critical to the country’s electricity production. According to John Maya, EPM’s manager, the reduced inflow into reservoirs combined with increasing energy demand poses a risk of energy shortages. He emphasized the need for careful management of reservoirs and the importance of thermal power plants in supplementing hydroelectric capacity during periods of low water availability. Despite his caution against making definitive statements about the likelihood of blackouts, Maya acknowledged that the balance between energy supply and demand is extremely tight. EPM has identified the expansion of Hidroituango, one of the largest hydroelectric projects in Latin America, as a key solution to address the energy gap. The second phase of the project, which includes units five through eight, is currently at 96 percent completion. If completed as planned, two additional units will come online by 2027, with the remaining two following in 2028. Once fully operational, Hidroituango will contribute 17 percent of the nation’s electricity needs. However, progress has been slower than anticipated, with only 20 percent of the projected new capacity added by 2026, contributing to a current shortfall of 2.2 percent in firm energy. In response to these concerns, the Office of the Comptroller General of Colombia conducted a technical inspection of Hidroituango on July 17, 2026, alongside representatives from four regional disaster risk councils. The visit aimed to assess EPM’s preparedness plans for dealing with the El Niño phenomenon and other environmental risks. During the inspection, officials confirmed that Hidroituango had implemented comprehensive risk management strategies and agreed to hold further meetings involving the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA). These discussions focused on adjusting the dam’s operating level to a maximum of 420 meters above sea level to better withstand the effects of El Niño. Meanwhile, Hidroituango itself has raised alarms about the government’s inadequate planning for the energy sector. In a recent technical study, the company highlighted significant gaps in the national energy expansion plan, particularly the failure to account for simultaneous extreme weather events such as El Niño. The study revealed that only 17 percent of the expected 28,100 megawatts of new generating capacity had been added since 2020, far below projections. This shortfall has contributed to a negative balance between available firm energy and demand, creating a reliability crisis. Additionally, the company pointed out unresolved financial obligations totaling 9.2 trillion pesos owed to various entities, including subsidies for energy and gas, and debts to firms such as Air-e and Afinia. These developments have prompted calls for urgent action from both EPM and Hidroituango. While EPM continues to emphasize the importance of maintaining reservoir levels and optimizing thermal power usage, Hidroituango underscores the need for more robust long-term planning and investment in new infrastructure. With the arrival of El Niño likely within months, the ability of Colombian authorities to manage these challenges will determine whether the country can avoid widespread energy disruptions. The situation highlights the delicate balance between immediate operational demands and the need for sustained strategic investment in the energy sector.
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SemanaNeodvisenSredinaDejstva 95Objektivnost 85pred 3 dneviV članku so obravnavani izzivi, s katerimi se bo v letu 2025 soočila velika kolumbijska komunalna družba Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM). V njem so izpostavljeni trije glavni problemi: potencialni vpliv El Niña na nacionalno električno omrežje, dobavo zemeljskega plina in razvoj Afinie. V članku je navedeno, da je EPM poročal o konsolidiranih prihodkih 40,6 milijarde pesov in povečanju čistega dobička za 9% na 5,3 milijarde pesov.
Ocena pristranskosti (Sredina): Članek predstavlja informacije o finančni uspešnosti in operativnih izzivih EPM, ne da bi se odkrito zavzemal za katero koli politično ideologijo.
Zakaj dejstva (95): The article provides specific financial figures (40.6 trillion pesos in revenue, 5.3 trillion net profit) and details about EPM’s business segments. These numbers are internally consistent and align with general economic reporting standards. The explanation of El Niño’s impact on water supply and en
Zakaj objektivnost (85): The article presents information in a largely neutral manner, focusing on facts such as EPM’s financial performance and challenges posed by El Niño. However, phrases like 'una de las grandes fortalezas' may imply a positive bias toward EPM. Overall, the tone remains mostly objective but has minor su
El TiempoNeodvisenSredinaDejstva 85Objektivnost 80pred 3 dneviKolumbijski urad tožilstva (Procuraduría General de la Nación) je opravil tehnični pregled hidroelektrarne Hidroituango v severni Antioquiji, da bi ocenili načrte za obvladovanje tveganj in priprave na prihajajoči pojav El Niño. Obisk je vključeval predstavnike štirih regionalnih oddelkov in je bil namenjen zagotavljanju preglednosti in usklajevanja med vključenimi institucijami. EPM, podjetje, ki upravlja projekt, je poudarilo svojo zavezanost preprečevanju tveganj in ohranjanju oskrbe z energijo z dvigom ravni rezervoarja na 420 metrov.
Ocena pristranskosti (Sredina): Članek predstavlja uravnotežen opis inšpekcijskega procesa, poudarja sodelovanje med vladnimi agencijami in EPM, ne da bi očitno naklonil nobeni strani.
Zakaj dejstva (85): The article reports on a technical visit by the Procuraduría to Hidroituango, including participation from multiple departments and validation of EPM’s risk management plans. It aligns with the cross-source consensus regarding the government's preparedness for El Niño and the need to raise the reser
Zakaj objektivnost (80): The tone remains professional and informative, focusing on the verification process and institutional collaboration. While there is some emphasis on EPM's proactive measures, the article avoids overt bias and presents the situation neutrally.
SemanaNeodvisenSredinaDejstva 85Objektivnost 75pred 7 dnevi Tožilstvo je ponovno sprožilo alarme zaradi posodobitve.Nacionalna agencija za letalstvo Kolumbije (Aerocivil), pod vodstvom direktorja Luisa Alfonsa Martíneza Chimentyja, se sooča z naraščajočim nadzorom zaradi zamud pri modernizacijskih projektih in vzdrževanju infrastrukture. Urad generalnega nadzornika (Procuraduría) je izrazil zaskrbljenost po odkritju okvar opreme, prekinitev sistemov in zamud pri namestitvi, ki vplivajo na navigacijske storitve v zračnem prometu. Kljub trditvam Aerocivila, da redundantni sistemi zagotavljajo operativno varnost, je Procuraduría zahtevala podrobne razlage o vzrokih teh zamud, načrtih za obnovo in ukrepih za okrepitev infrastrukture.
Ocena pristranskosti (Sredina): Članek predstavlja dejanske informacije o upravnih izzivih v Aerocivil in nadzorni vlogi Procuraduría.
Zakaj te ocene (Dejstva 85 · Objektivnost 75): The article reports on concerns raised by the Procuraduría regarding delays in modernization projects at Aerocivil, citing a primary source as the Procuraduría's internal report. It presents both the official stance of Aerocivil and the Procuraduría’s findings, showing some balance. However, the ton
El TiempoNeodvisenKonservativnoDejstva 80Objektivnost 65pred 3 dnevi Hidroituango je opozoril, da bi praznine v načrtovanju vlade Petro pustile državo pred "popolno nevihto" v električnem sektorjuČlanek poroča, da je Hidroituango, glavno hidroelektrno podjetje v Kolumbiji, opozorilo na to, da se energetski sektor v državi sooča z velikimi tveganji zaradi neustreznega načrtovanja vlade Petro. Družba je predstavila študijo, ki kaže, da Nacionalni načrt za širitev proizvodnje (2025-2039), ki ga je razvila enota za načrtovanje rudarstva in energije (UPME), ni upošteval ekstremnih vremenskih dogodkov in naraščajočih potreb po energiji. To je privedlo do zaskrbljenosti, da država ni pripravljena na scenarij "popolne nevihte", ki bi lahko ogrozil energetsko varnost in trajnost. V poročilu so poudarjeni posebni podatki, ki kažejo, da je bil uresničen le del načrtovane energetske zmogljivosti, kar je sprožilo alarm o zanesljivosti nacionalnega električnega omrežja.
Ocena pristranskosti (Konservativno): V članku se to vprašanje obravnava kot neuspeh vladnega načrtovanja, pri čemer se tveganja nanašajo na Petro administracijo.
Zakaj dejstva (80): The article cites an internal study by Hidroituango that criticizes the national energy expansion plan. It references specific data and officials, but the claim that the government is directly responsible for current risks is more interpretive than factual. This interpretation may differ from other
Zakaj objektivnost (65): The language carries a critical tone toward the government, using terms like 'vacíos' and 'riesgos' to frame the issue. There is a clear editorial stance suggesting governmental negligence, which introduces bias into the reporting.
SemanaNeodvisenSredinapred 3 urami Hidroituango: Prokuratura je začela preventivni nadzor nad upravljanjem tveganja za katastrofe v velikem projektuKolumbijsko tožilstvo je začelo preventivno spremljanje obvladovanja tveganja zaradi nesreč na hidroelektrarnem projektu Hidroituango in okoliških občinah v Antioquiji. To sledi tehnični oceni, ki jo je opravil delegirani tožilec za upravljanje in upravljanje ozemlja, ki vključuje EPM, regionalne svetove za katastrofe in druge organe. Ocena je pokazala, da je 82% občin posodobilo načrte tveganja zaradi nesreč, vendar še vedno primanjkuje virov.
Ocena pristranskosti (Sredina): Članek predstavlja dejansko poročilo o regulativnem nadzoru velikega infrastrukturnega projekta, ki se osredotoča na skladnost z okoljskimi protokoli in protokoli glede tveganja nesreč.
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