Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE American: CNL) (TSE: CNL) is partnering with local organizations in Colombia to build a community-scale solar power project that is expected to provide renewable electricity and lower energy costs for about 2,000 people in the municipality of Supía.
On Tuesday, the company announced the project will support the Guamal Afro-Colombian community in Caldas through Colombia’s Comunidades Energéticas, or Energy Communities, initiative. Collective Mining is working alongside the Guamal Afro-Colombian Community Council, the Governor’s Office of Caldas, CorpoCaldas and the Municipality of Supía.
The partners plan to install about 600 kilowatts peak of solar generation capacity across the community. Additionally, the project is expected to benefit roughly 420 households once construction is complete.
The new solar system will provide residents with a locally generated source of renewable electricity. It is also expected to reduce household power bills while creating revenue from surplus electricity sold back into the grid.
Furthermore, the partners expect the initiative to create local jobs during development and operation. The project will also provide training opportunities that help residents build new technical skills.
Community members will also play a greater role in planning and managing local energy resources. Consequently, the project aims to strengthen long-term community participation while reducing emissions linked to conventional electricity generation.
Guamal Afro-Colombian Community Council President Carlos Andres Moreno described the project as an important opportunity for local families. He said the initiative could improve prospects for future generations through cooperation between the community, government agencies and the private sector.
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Project could become model for community solar in Colombia
Collective Mining President Omar Ossma said the Guamal community has a strong cultural identity and a vision for its future.
Additionally, he said the company remains focused on practical projects that support regional development while delivering social, economic and environmental benefits through collaboration with local partners.
The company said trusted relationships and meaningful participation remain central to its approach in the regions where it operates. Meanwhile, the project ranks among the first community energy developments of its kind in Caldas.
The partners believe the initiative could become a model for similar renewable energy projects in other communities across the region. They expect the experience gained in Guamal to help expand community-based clean energy programs in the future as Colombia continues developing local renewable power solutions.
Colombia launched its Comunidades Energéticas, or Energy Communities, initiative to expand access to renewable electricity while giving local communities greater control over energy production and management.
The program encourages communities to develop small-scale renewable power projects that generate electricity for local use and sell surplus power into the grid.
The government has set an ambitious target of establishing 20,000 energy communities nationwide. Additionally, more than 18,000 communities expressed interest in participating during the program’s early stages. Officials have also received hundreds of formal project proposals as the initiative continues to expand.
The projects typically focus on solar power installations that lower electricity costs, improve energy reliability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the initiative aims to create local employment opportunities while providing technical training and supporting long-term economic development.
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