The Ministry of Mines and Energy reported that in the first week of the year, between November 2 and 8, electricity demand increased 3% compared to the previous week. Demand, which averaged 186.7 GWh/day, recorded an 8% increase compared to April levels, although the portfolio explained that it remains 10 percentage points below February levels and recorded a 2% drop compared to the same period in 2020.

By sector, energy demand this week grew the most in industry (21.3%), agriculture (7.7%) and finance (7.1%). On the other hand, in regional terms, the departments with the highest growth compared to the previous week were Caldas-Quindío-Risaralda (6.3%), Valle (6.1%) and Antioquia (5.8%).

As for crude oil production, 740.5 thousand barrels per day were reported in the first week of January, a slight decrease of 0.3% compared to the previous week. On the other hand, marketed gas production increased by 0.9% to 1.03 MMPCD.

Consumption of liquid fuels compared to the previous week showed a 7% contraction for diesel and a 1% increase for motor gasoline, as well as an 8% increase for jet fuel. This, according to the portfolio, shows a seasonal and reduced behavior in diesel consumption and a sober growth in motor gasoline consumption, which is lower than expected for the season due to the measures adopted in view of the increase in the population’s contagion levels.