Colombia has proposed temporary rules allowing thermal power plant operators to resell imported gas they do not use for electricity generation, stepping up efforts to ease supply risks.

The measure would let generators sell unused LNG-derived gas to third parties instead of leaving import capacity idle, increasing available supply for industry and households.

 “The initiative sets out guidelines allowing imported natural gas to be sold on the secondary market under firm, transparent and verifiable conditions,” the energy ministry said.

A Bancolombia report published this month said Colombia’s dependence on imported natural gas is set to surpass half of total supply by 2029 as local production fails to keep pace with demand.

The draft resolution also allows some power plants to burn imported LPG instead of natural gas, freeing gas for priority consumers such as households and essential services.

The proposal is temporary and would apply only when gas or regasification capacity is not required for electricity dispatch, the ministry said.

It added that new rules on gas swaps will be issued within three months, creating a permanent contractual mechanism to reallocate gas once the temporary measures expire.

The draft has been released for public comment and is available in Spanish here.

https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/colombia-moves-to-free-up-unused-lng