The Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission announced last Wednesday, April 17, in Circular No. 020 of 2024, that it will study the proposal of the Vanti Group from Bogotá on the basis of a study by the Universidad de los Andes, which would integrate the two . major natural gas transport systems in Colombia: Promigas (Costa) and TGI (domestic).
If this proposal is made, the transport rate on the coast would increase by 77% to cover the distances between the production fields and the inland areas. This increase ‘would go against the development of the Coastal Industry’, according to experts.
Atlantic representatives and former members of Congress discussed this approach and dismissed that possibility.
One of them was former Congresswoman Martha Villalba, who stated that while it is hardly a proposal, presenting it is an insult to the Caribbean, which only experiences abuse because of high energy rates.
“I just hope that for the first time the Creg will regulate in favor of this part of the country and, in addition to rejecting the offer presented, help us reduce the cost of electricity supply,” Villalba explains.
Atlántico deputy Camilo Torres Villalba, for his part, said this should not even be subject to investigation, insisting that the coast “can no longer be mocked and remain the victim of high energy rates.”
“Inland, where this proposal was born, they certainly have no idea of the ordeal coastal families go through to pay for poor quality public services. Gentlemen of the Creg, we trust that you will draw up rules in favor of the Coast, reject this proposal and also help us find a solution to reduce the burden on the electricity bill,” said Torres Villalba.
In turn, former Congressman Jorge Enrique Robledo said in dialogue with EL HERALDO that the fact that the Creg of this government is studying the possibility of increasing the cost of gas transport on the coast would be an act of sadism.
“The departments of the Caribbean have a much higher poverty rate than the rest of Colombia,” Robledo points out.
Source: El heraldo
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
