Locking-in sustainable pathways: just transition, wind energy and local communities in La Guajira, Colombia

In collaboration with the University of La Guajira, this research aims to identify the principal factors influencing or inhibiting social acceptance of wind energy projects in La Guajira, strengthen social dialogue platforms, information-sharing, and awareness, and make concrete recommendations directed at decision-makers, local communities, and the private sector in order to leverage socially beneficial outcomes. 

Drawing on participatory approaches, we propose to identify how acceptance is understood and what its implications are from multiple stakeholder perspectives, including by project developers, governments at different levels, and local communities with an emphasis on Indigenous peoples’ perspectives.

La Guajira is key to the growth of wind energy in Colombia: 31 wind farms are projected to be built in the next three years, along with new overhead high-voltage power lines and other necessary infrastructure. Combined with other initiatives in an early planning stage, more than 40 wind farms are expected to operate by 2034, representing an installed capacity of more than 8000 megawatts (MW), more than 40% of Colombia’s current installed capacity.

Most of these projects are located in the collective lands of the Wayuu Indigenous people, whose territories are “inalienable, imprescriptible and unseizable,” according to the Political Constitution of Colombia, and cannot be leased or purchased. Therefore, project developers must reach agreements with communities that include financial and other benefits agreed in the framework of consultation processes, as well as compensation for potential socio-environmental impacts.

The agreements are reached within the legal framework of the Prior, Free, and Informed Consent (FPIC), which is integrated in Colombian legislation. The process for FPIC is established by the Constitutional Court in multiple rulings as well as presidential directives. It involves a bilateral negotiation between the company and the community, which usually experiences high poverty, limited access to basic services, corruption, and socio-environmental damages from extractive industries, particularly coal mining.

Communicating our findings

SEI has actively organized a series of outreach events aimed at disseminating the research findings to various stakeholders, including communities, policymakers, and academia. In a recent development, researchers from the Latin American center convened a forum at the University of La Guajira to present the project’s key findings. This event garnered significant participation from a diverse range of attendees, including representatives from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, private sector delegates, members of the Wayú Indigenous people, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educators, and students.

Empowering change: sharing our discoveries with policymakers

SEI’s Elisa Arond and Jose Vega met with delegates from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, including the Office of Environmental and Social Affairs, the Just Energy Transition team, the Institute for Planning and Promotion of Energy Solutions for Non-Interconnected Areas (IPSE), the National Mining Agency (ANM) and the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH). During the meeting, SEI’s team presented the results of the research, and the attendees shared comments, mostly expressing positive reactions and valuable feedback to what they saw. The team also put forward concrete ideas on how to progress with the social acceptance of wind energy projects in La Guajira.

Reinaldo Lerma, also representing SEI, brought a unique perspective to the table as a Wayuu member. During the gathering, the attendees were deeply intrigued by his insights into fostering harmonious intercultural relationships. They showered him with questions, eager to learn how to navigate this delicate terrain. With a wealth of knowledge, Reinaldo offered invaluable insights into the cultural nuances that wind energy initiatives (and renewable projects as a whole) should wholeheartedly embrace.

Impacting regional policy

SEI team has also actively engaged in conversations with La Guajira’s Departmental Assembly. Their discussions focused on highlighting the policy implications of SEI research at the regional level, guiding the Assembly towards informed regulatory actions. Citing SEI’s work, the Assembly issued Proposition No. 023 of 2023  (only available in Spanish) affirming their willingness to establish a minimum standard for benefit-sharing from large-scale renewable energy projects to local communities. Additionally, the proposition recognizes the need to regulate the role of community advisors including capacity-building opportunities.