EDP Renováveis is a company of the Energías de Portugal Group that operates in the field of renewable energies in different countries around the world.
A few weeks ago, Felipe de Gamboa took over as the new General Director of EDPR Colombia, replacing Liliana Alemán .
Its main challenge for that country will be to move forward with the two wind power projects awarded in the long-term renewable energy auction: Alpha, of 212 MW, and Beta, of 280 MW, both to be built in La Guajira.
In an interview with Energía Estratégica, Gamboa discusses the development of both wind farms, the company's aspirations, and their interest in participating in the new renewable energy auction announced by the Colombian government for the second half of this year. What challenges does he face as CEO of EDPR in Colombia? Colombia is a priority region for EDPR's growth in the coming years.
This is a market with growing energy demand and strong wind resources and sustainable development of its renewable energy sources.
In this context, the main challenge we face is to continue developing our portfolio of projects in the country, as well as consolidating a new work team in a complex economic and social environment resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Likewise, in the short and medium term, we will focus on the construction of the Alpha (212 MW) and Beta (280 MW) onshore wind energy projects that we are currently developing and whose commercial operation is planned for 2022.
It is also key for us to secure long-term PPAs with third parties in order to sell the electricity that both parks produce.
We won these projects through the auction organized by the Colombian government in 2019, marking EDPR's entry into the Colombian energy market. What does the business plan you intend to implement in that country entail? Colombia plays a key role in the new strategic plan we recently announced.
Our main objective is to continue increasing our commitment to renewable energies and to this end we will add 4 GW per year in projects for both solar and onshore and offshore wind energy.
It is worth noting that our commitment to renewables and the energy transition is reflected in the 1.5 billion euro capital increase that we have launched, which aims to finance the capex plan of around 19 billion euros that is part of our strategic plan, to deploy around 20 GW of renewable energy by 2025. 
Felipe de Gamboa, the new CEO of EDPR Colombia , has announced a new renewable energy auction, scheduled for the second half of the year. Are you interested in participating? EDPR is a company committed to the ecological transition and the decarbonization of the economy.
Therefore, we are open to participating in renewable energy auctions in all countries where we have a presence and also in those with favorable regulations.
In this regard, it is necessary that the auction structure facilitate the acquisition of projects with reasonable commissioning dates, and it is also important to create remuneration structures with CfDs, preferably for 15 or 20 years, that provide predictability in the return on investment. This will ultimately impact project financing and, by extension, the final price of energy for the consumer. Regarding the projects already awarded in the auction (Beta and Alpha), what is their current status, and when do you anticipate that construction and subsequent commissioning could begin? We are working intensively to start construction as soon as possible.
We hope to announce the start of construction soon and thus meet our goal of beginning commercial operations in 2022. Is Colombia a strategic market for EDPR in Latin America? Colombia is the third Latin American country where EDPR operates, following its launch in Brazil and Mexico.
It is a strategic market for the company and it has big growth plans in this country.
Colombia has a stable legal framework and needs to strengthen and diversify its energy matrix with both wind and solar energy, and EDPR can contribute considerably to this need.