Written by: Ahmed Abdel Salam
The "Regasificadora del Pacífico" project seeks to create a qualitative shift in the energy sector in the Colombian city of Buenaventura by providing stable and direct supplies of liquefied natural gas, ending the city's historical reliance on compressed gas transported by trucks from distant regions like Buga and Yumbo. This strategic step comes to ensure service continuity regardless of any challenges that may face land transport routes, which enhances the city's economic and service stability.
Strategic shift in energy supplies
Oscar Isaza Bengoechea, Chairman of Regasificadora del Pacífico, confirmed that the project will enable Buenaventura to transform into a vital energy hub serving industrial sectors. The future vision of the project includes the construction of an additional terminal known as "Puerto Mujeres," dedicated to receiving liquefied petroleum gas, in addition to developing a thermal power plant, which provides the essential raw materials needed to run turbines and generate electricity sustainably and efficiently.
Regarding the economic aspect, Bengoechea pointed out that the cost structure is aligned with the tariffs of "Gases de Occidente" company, while maintaining subsidies directed to the first, second, and third economic strata, stressing that the true cost of any energy lies in its unavailability in the first place, which is what the project seeks to avoid by securing stable and reliable supplies.
Expanding the model to the Pacific coast
The project's plans extend beyond the borders of Buenaventura to include other regions along the Pacific coast. The strategy relies on using maritime tankers to transport gas in specialized containers to municipalities such as Guapi, Tumaco, Bahía Solano, and Juradó. The company aims to install small receiving stations for liquefied natural gas in these areas, then distribute the fuel to homes through a network of pipelines, providing a safe and modern alternative for citizens.
This project is closely linked to public health initiatives; as it seeks to replace the use of firewood and charcoal in cooking with natural gas, a shift aimed at reducing the population's exposure to direct smoke that causes serious respiratory diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which causes alarming mortality rates annually. By providing a cleaner and safer alternative, the project contributes to improving the quality of life for thousands of families in these remote areas.
