Colombian officials are proposing a nationwide time change to prevent potential power rationing caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
This measure is critical because the combination of rising electricity consumption and dwindling water levels in reservoirs has increased the risk of systemic blackouts. If the proposal is adopted, the country would advance its clocks by one hour, a strategy known as the “Hora Gaviria.”
Alejandro Arbeláez, the manager of Hidroituango, and Minister of Mines and Energy Abelardo de la Espriella are among those associated with the discussion to revive the practice. The goal is to extend daylight hours, thereby reducing the reliance on artificial lighting during the evening peak.
Beyond weather patterns, the energy sector faces significant financial instability. Reports indicate that debts within the energy sector now exceed nine trillion Colombian pesos [1]. This financial burden complicates the government's ability to implement long-term infrastructure solutions while battling immediate climate-driven shortages.
Not all experts agree that shifting the clock is a viable solution. Max Henríquez, an energy expert, questioned the effectiveness of the measure. Henríquez said the proposal is "ridiculous" and noted that Colombia is not like Denmark, suggesting that a simple time shift is an inadequate response to the structural energy crisis.
The government continues to evaluate the proposal as El Niño continues to impact water availability for hydroelectric power, which serves as the primary source of electricity for the nation.
“The goal is to extend daylight hours, thereby reducing the reliance on artificial lighting.”
The proposal to revive the 'Hora Gaviria' reflects a desperate attempt to manage peak demand through behavioral shifts rather than systemic upgrades. By relying on a daylight-saving tactic, the government is attempting to bridge the gap between a failing financial state—marked by trillions in debt—and the immediate environmental pressures of El Niño, which threatens the hydroelectric stability of the national grid.
