Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) and Grupo Energía Bogotá have issued alerts warning of risks to Colombia’s electricity system [1, 2].

The warnings highlight a precarious intersection of climate volatility and social unrest. Because Colombia relies heavily on hydroelectric power, any disruption to water levels or plant operations can trigger widespread energy instability across the country.

According to an alert released July 9, 2026 [4], the companies are monitoring the impact of the El Niño phenomenon. This climate pattern is expected to cause significant drought and lower water levels, which reduces the capacity for hydroelectric generation [2, 5]. The most critical period for these energy impacts was identified as April to June 2026 [3].

Beyond the weather, the companies warned of potential coordinated blockades in the northeast region of Antioquia [5, 6]. These disruptions could target five key hydroelectric plants [1], which are vital for the country's power generation [5]. These specific facilities represent approximately 16% of the national demand for electricity [1].

Reports on the primary driver of the alerts vary. Some sources said the warnings are primarily due to the approaching El Niño and its effect on supply [2]. Other reports said the focus is specifically on the threat of blockades affecting reservoirs, regardless of the weather patterns [5].

Both EPM and Grupo Energía Bogotá said the combination of lower reservoir capacity and potential physical blockades could jeopardize the stability of the power grid [1, 2, 5].

“Five key hydroelectric plants represent approximately 16% of the national demand for electricity.”

Colombia's energy security is uniquely vulnerable to 'double-threat' scenarios where environmental stress and political instability converge. By linking the El Niño drought to the risk of physical blockades in Antioquia, the energy providers are signaling that the grid lacks the redundancy to withstand simultaneous climate and social shocks, potentially necessitating emergency energy imports or rationing.