Cooperation with the National Authority of Environmental Licences - Colombia

In February 2024, the NCEA has signed an MoU with the National Agency for Environmental Licensing (ANLA) in Colombia. One of the areas of cooperation is on ESIA for offshore wind energy. In particular, ANLA asked us to comment on a Terms of Reference (ToR) document (100 p.) for the preparation of the environmental impact studies -EIAs- for offshore wind energy projects. Colombia has some experience with onshore wind energy, but none so far with offshore wind energy development.  

Significant details

This ToR has been developed by ANLA and will finally be approved by the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS). The ToR are meant to guide offshore wind energy project developers when they have to undertake EIAs, but serves at the same time as a framework for ANLA and decentralized environmental authorities when they have to review the quality of EIAs submitted to them for environmental licensing and approval. The NCEA advisory report has been drafted by a team of 3 experts and has been discussed with ANLA and MADS during 2 online meetings: 18th of April and 14th of June. ANLA indicated to include many of NCEA's observations in a revised version of the ToR that will subsequently be undergoing public consultation.