COLOMBIA · ENERGY
Key Facts
- —What is happening EPM, the public utility of Medellín, said it had restored 99% of gas to its industrial users in Antioquia by midday on Sunday, 25 October. Supply was cut from Friday, 23 October.
- —Why it matters Colombia’s gas is tight as El Niño raises demand from power plants, so another pressure drop could halt factories around Medellín again, with jobs and exports at stake.
- —The numbers Asoenergía said a 100% gas restriction was ordered for industry in Antioquia, and 533 million cubic feet per day entered through the Cartagena import terminal on Saturday.
- —Who is who EPM is owned by the city of Medellín and runs gas networks in parts of Antioquia; Asoenergía speaks for large energy users, and TGI’s trunk pipeline was unstable.
- —What to watch Monday, 26 and Tuesday, 27 October, when gas use rises, and whether the Mines and Energy Ministry answers the business groups’ questions about the cause.
- —Power Index Colombia ranks 6th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 51.9 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you Investors in Colombian energy and industry should watch gas supply, because shortages can slow factory output and raise costs.
EPM says 99% of gas to its industrial users is back. The next two days are the test.
EPM, the Medellín utility, said it restored 99% of gas to industrial users on its networks by midday Sunday, 25 October. Factories around the city had gone without gas for most of the weekend, El Colombiano reported.
The EPM gas cut began on Friday, 23 October, when pressure fell in national pipelines. It matters because Colombia’s gas is tight just as El Niño raises power-plant demand; see the Colombia hub.
What Happened From Friday to Sunday
On Friday afternoon, 23 October, factories in Barbosa, Bello, Copacabana and Girardota reported falling gas pressure, El Colombiano reported. Asoenergía, the association of large energy users, said an initial limit became a full 100% restriction on industrial demand in Antioquia.
EPM said it acted under Decree 1073 of 2015, as changed by Decree 1467 of 2024. Those rules put homes and other essential demand first when supply is short.
A source in the energy sector told El Colombiano the system began to recover on Saturday. Instability remained at several points of the TGI trunk pipeline that night, and monitoring continued.
On Saturday, 533 million cubic feet per day entered through the SPEC terminal in Cartagena, which helped restore pressure. SPEC turns imported liquefied gas back into pipeline gas.
By midday on Sunday, 25 October, EPM had completed 99% of the restoration, the newspaper reported. It said the figure covers industrial users reported to EPM that day.
Why Colombia’s Gas Is Short
The cause of the pressure drop is not officially confirmed. EPM pointed to temporary limits on transport infrastructure that required preventive measures.
A sector source told El Colombiano that some gas agents took more gas than due, cutting the reserves that hold pressure. Carlos Vasco, a University of Antioquia lecturer, blamed lower output, an unbuilt Córdoba pipeline and more gas for power plants.
Semana reported that Naturgas, the gas industry group, says Colombia imports 39% of the gas it uses. Analyst Sergio Cabrales said imports were 41% of supply in October 2026.
Cabrales also cited steep falls at older fields, including Piedemonte down 32%, Canacol’s VIM down 76% and La Guajira down 55%. These are his figures and Semana’s report of them, not an official count.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy has also warned of trouble ahead. On Wednesday, 14 October, Minister María Nohemi Arboleda said a big gas deficit is very likely from February 2027, Blu Radio reported.
Blu Radio said the first fix, a Córdoba project, could add 10 million cubic feet per day from February 2027. Portafolio said she gave no firm date for new supply.
What Business Groups Are Asking
The Corporación Empresarial Pro Aburrá Norte, a business group, wrote to Minister Arboleda with six requests. It asked whether the cut was a local operating fault, a national shortage or both.
It also asked for the criteria behind the restrictions and a regular official update channel. El Colombiano said the ministry had not replied by the time of its Sunday report.
Asoenergía asked for transparency on the causes and on how gas agents behaved. It warned that abrupt suspension can damage equipment and processes, with large repair costs.
Companies also face higher costs and may switch to other fuels, the business group said. That can raise emissions and trigger environmental duties.
In Plain English
- EPM: Empresas Públicas de Medellín, a utility owned by the city that sells power, gas and water.
- Trunk pipeline: the large national gas pipeline that feeds regional networks such as EPM’s.
- Regasification: turning imported liquefied gas back into gas, as SPEC does at Cartagena.
- Essential demand: homes, hospitals and similar users that must be served first in a shortage.
What It Means for US Readers
Investors in Colombian energy and industry should watch gas supply through El Niño. A repeat cut would hit Antioquia’s factories, and Vasco says imported gas costs more than local gas.
No direct effect on travellers has been reported, since the cut covered industrial users. The Rio Times has reported on Colombia’s US$855 million El Niño power plan and on EPM’s falling transfers to Medellín.
Earlier coverage also looked at Ecopetrol’s recovery plan under its new chief. Gas supply links all three stories.
What Is Not Known
The cause of the pressure drop is not confirmed, and no official report has been published. The number of factories affected has not been reported, and no cost figure for lost output exists.
EPM’s bulletin was not available to check, so its statements come from El Colombiano. The 100% restriction is Asoenergía’s account, and the reports do not say who ordered it.
What Comes Next
Monday, 26 and Tuesday, 27 October are seen as decisive, because gas use rises and the TGI network is still being watched. A source warned that the problem could return if thermal power demand meets short supply.
Restoring 99% does not mean the underlying shortage is solved. The ministry’s answer to the business groups would show whether it sees a local fault or a national gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did EPM restore?
EPM said it restored 99% of gas to its industrial users in Antioquia by midday on Sunday, 25 October. The cut had started on Friday, 23 October.
Were homes in Medellín affected?
The reports describe a cut to industrial users, not homes. Rules in force put essential demand first when supply is short.
What caused the gas cut?
The cause is not officially confirmed. EPM cited limits on transport infrastructure, and others point to lower domestic output and higher power-plant demand.
Why does imported gas matter?
Semana reports that Naturgas puts imports at 39% of the gas Colombia uses, arriving through terminals such as Cartagena. Vasco says imported gas costs more.
Could the cut happen again?
A sector source warned it could if power-plant demand meets short supply. Monday and Tuesday are seen as the key days.
Sources: El Colombiano, 25 October; El Colombiano, 24 October; Semana, 25 October; La FM, 23 October; Blu Radio, 14 October; Portafolio, 14 October (all accessed 26 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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