Colombia offers excellent conditions to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives, particularly due to its vast potential for renewable energy generation. In addition to conventional hydropower and renewable biomass, several regions of the country have very favourable conditions for wind and solar energy. Colombia also has abundant water resources and access to both the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean through more than ten strategically located ports, facilitating potential exports.

Building on these advantages, Colombia was among the first countries in Latin America to publish a national hydrogen strategy in 2021. The strategy’s main objective is to support domestic decarbonisation. In the longer term, this could also pave the way for exports of green hydrogen and its derivatives to Europe, where demand is expected to rise in the medium term.

Green Hydrogen as a Key Driver of Decarbonisation

With nearly 40 pilot projects currently under way, Colombia’s hydrogen sector is still at an early stage of development. According to estimates by Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, the country could produce up to 3.2 megatonnes of hydrogen per year in the future using modern technologies. By 2030, Colombia aims to build up electrolysis capacity of up to 3 gigawatts. Building on this potential, the BMZ-funded CatalHyst project was launched in 2024 as a cooperation between the BDI and ANDI-Naturgas, the hydrogen chamber of the Colombian business association ANDI. Running until June 2026, the project aims to strengthen the role of ANDI-Naturgas in Colombia’s hydrogen sector, deepen cooperation between German and Colombian companies, and help initiate concrete hydrogen projects. In doing so, it seeks to contribute to the development of a sustainable and competitive hydrogen economy in Colombia.

Regional Focus and Activities

The project focuses on three strategic regions identified in a study conducted by Fraunhofer ISE. The departments of Bolívar, Atlántico and Valle del Cauca are considered promising locations to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives due to their strong renewable energy potential. In the port cities of Cartagena and Barranquilla, there are also important synergies between existing industrial structures and expanding port infrastructure. Local companies will be supported through studies, training measures, knowledge exchange between German and Colombian companies, and the development of new services by ANDI-Naturgas. The H2 Award provided a competitive platform for companies and universities to showcase innovative ideas in this field. The winners had the opportunity to engage in direct exchange with German companies from the hydrogen sector. This cooperation benefits not only Colombia. The exchange of knowledge, technologies and experience creates value on both sides and can open up new opportunities for German companies in one of Latin America’s most promising hydrogen markets.