- The Sabanalarga – Bolivar Interconnection Project, located in Atlántico and Bolivar, provides a stronger power transmission system in the Caribbean region, allowing energy to flow through different paths.
- In conjunction with the communities and protecting the ecosystems, the project had a socio-environmental investment of more than COP 20 billion.
- Within the framework of the Conexión Desarrollo Program, Sustainable Development Agendas (SDAs) were built in a participatory manner for each municipality covered by the project. These agendas include the dreams of the inhabitants for 2041 on various fronts aligned with the SDGs.
ISA, through its company ISA INTERCOLOMBIA, once again fulfills its obligation to the country by delivering the Sabanalarga – Bolivar 500kV Interconnection Project, which strengthens the National Transmission System.
The work consisted of the construction of a new 66 km long transmission line between the Sabanalarga and Bolívar substations, as well as the expansion of both substations, and was carried out in the municipalities of Sabanalarga, Piojó and Luruaco in Atlántico and Santa Catalina, Clemencia, Villanueva, and Santa Rosa in Bolívar.
““With its delivery to the country, we provide a stronger energy transmission system in the region by closing the ring at this voltage level, thus allowing energy to flow through different paths. This contributes to reduce restrictions, which is to say, operating costs and improves the conditions of continuity and meeting the demand for energy service in the departments of Bolivar and Atlántico,” said Juan Emilio Posada Echeverri, ISA’s CEO.
Social and environmental investment for territorial development
The project had a socio-environmental investment of more than COP 20 billion. The works were developed hand in hand with the social players, communities, and authorities of the territory, with whom relationships of mutual trust and constant communication have been built. We also worked on the prevention, mitigation, and compensation of environmental impacts.
As part of the construction of this project, “Conexión Desarrollo” was implemented, the social management model of ISA and its companies, a comprehensive commitment to strengthen the role of good neighbors in the communities and active members of the development of the territories with a long-term outlook. ““We are convinced that in order to accompany high-impact social transformations we must articulate and focus efforts in a systematic, coherent, and consistent manner to improve the quality of life of people, communities, and territories. That is our commitment to development.” explained Carlos Mario Caro Sánchez, CEO of ISA INTERCOLOMBIA.
Since 2020, and throughout the construction stage, we worked on the implementation of the Conexión Desarrollo program, in alliance with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Fundación Barco, to generate capacities in the different players of the community ecosystem in order to promote transformations that materialize the objectives and dreams embodied in the Sustainable Development Agendas.
The company invested close to COP 9 billion, benefiting 42,000 students in 101 educational establishments, 851 families developed productive capacities. The company also supported the design and execution of 20 family-community projects to improve their income through entrepreneurship and productive linkages. In addition, more than 7,500 people attended community and institutional training sessions. In addition, 23 community benefit projects were executed, mostly aimed at strengthening the social fabric through the construction of multifunctional halls, improvement of parks, water supply solutions and road improvements.
In addition to all of the above, prior consultations were held with the community councils of the Black communities of Matamba and Santa Rosa de Lima, making contributions in business entrepreneurship projects, purchase of land for the development of agricultural, fish farming and beekeeping projects, as well as environmental and cultural strengthening of each of them. During the construction stage, approximately 500 local jobs were generated in the seven municipalities of the area of influence in the departments of Bolívar and Atlántico.
As part of the environmental management programs, flight diverters were installed for the preservation of wild birds, rescue and relocation of fauna and flora species were carried out, and measures were implemented for the use of wood residues during the construction stage.
Also in the environmental field, 13,012 trees were harvested, and progress is being made in the compensation of 28 hectares associated with ecological rehabilitation and enrichment in the municipality of Villanueva in a private conservation area owned by Fundación Los Loros. In addition, progress is being made in the preparation phase for the implementation of the Biotic Component Compensation Plan for nearly 400 hectares, which are expected to be developed in the alternatives approved by the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA).
As part of the management of the archaeological heritage, an important rescue was carried out in the municipality of Luruaco, associated with pre-Hispanic communities. With the support of the Universidad del Norte, participatory management and protection measures were implemented to integrate the academic, educational, and institutional components and promote long-term conservation, contributing new data to the region’s archaeology and strengthening the cultural sector.
The successful completion of this energy transmission project with a positive social impact is a great achievement for our country. It not only strengthens the electrical infrastructure, but also contributes to a more sustainable and resilient energy future. With a robust and efficient transmission grid, we are prepared to meet the challenges of economic growth, the energy transition, and the growing demand for energy in Colombia.
