Integration of wind power plants into the Colombian power system

The Mines and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) is responsible for establishing the energy requirements of the population according to economic, social, technical and environmental principles. UPME updates the official document entitled “Power Generation and Transmission System Expansion Plan” every year. The power generation requirements, which are proposed by the Unit, are indicatives, because most of the new power generation projects are built according to the mechanism called Reliability Charge. Additionally, UPME establishes the needs of the expansion of the transmission system in order to ensure the Colombian electrical security and the reliability of the power system. These infrastructure projects are mandatory. Considering the intention of developing new wind power plants in the north region of Colombia (La Guajira), which would add to the power system more than 470 MW, the UPME analysed the integration of these renewable facilities into the Colombian electrical system. The analysis presented in this paper are; energy analysis, electrical analysis and economic analysis.