AES Colombia Participates in COP 16, Highlighting Over 20 Years of Commitment to Biodiversity

October 28, 2024

• Over USD$6 million has been invested by AES Colombia for the establishment of natural reserve areas, as well as for the study and conservation of biodiversity in the southeastern region of Boyacá.
• The Company will be present on October 29 and 30 in the green zone of COP 16, with an immersive stand showcasing the natural beauty of the Tenza Valley and highlighting AES's environmental programs.

Cali-Colombia, October 28, 2024. Standing out as one of the leading companies in environmental sustainability in the energy sector, AES Colombia is participating in COP 16 to highlight its commitment to the environment and biodiversity, which for over 20 years has allowed it to develop various protection and research initiatives in the tropical rainforest and páramo ecosystems in the southeastern region of Boyacá, investing more than COP$23 billion to date.

The company, which is the first 100% renewable energy generator in the country, will participate on October 29 and 30 in the green zone of COP 16, with an immersive stand called "Energy for Biodiversity," allowing visitors to learn about the beautiful Tenza Valley region, where AES has focused its environmental protection efforts and established the Hyca Quye and Almenara natural reserve. This reserve, comprising nearly 2,000 hectares, is home for more than 2,200 species of animals and plants, some of which are endemic, such as the bromeliad, the Heliculus Heurippa butterfly, and a species of freshwater crab that was discovered in this area a few years ago.

Additionally, AES Colombia will also be part of the academic agenda of the Sector Empresarial y Productivo de Colombia event, organized by the Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia -ANDI-, specifically in the panel called “Water and Biodiversity Nexus: Sustainable and Adaptive Management of Water Resources.” In this space, the actions that the Company has implemented to make optimal use of water resources, both for energy generation and for the development of community productive projects driven by AES, as well as its water quality monitoring studies in the region, will be highlighted.

“At AES Colombia, we are clear that to fulfill our value promise of generating safe and reliable energy for the country, we must also care about environmental conservation. In the southeastern part of Boyacá, we are protecting about 3,000 hectares, both of humid forest and areas close to the páramo, integrating the communities in this conservation effort. And thanks to our investment in scientific research, Santa María is considered the most environmentally characterized municipality in the country, meaning the most studied and researched; which is a source of pride for us and for the region,” Patricia Aparicio, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Manager of AES Colombia.

AES Colombia's efforts in environmental matters have also allowed it to promote scientific knowledge and research, developing alliances to study the fauna and flora of the region. As a result, 13 environmental characterization technical guides were created together with the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, positioning Santa María as a biodiversity reference in the country. Similarly, in alliance with the Fundación Humedales, about 1,000 hectares have been established for the maintenance of ecosystems close to the páramo, where 14 species at risk such as the spectacled bear, the ocelot, the deer, and the anteater, among others, are observed.

 

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AES worldwide Environmental Programs

AES's commitment to biodiversity and the environment is not limited to Colombia. In the 13 countries where it operates, AES Corporation carries out various conservation initiatives. In Mexico, for example, AES has established a public-private partnership to reintroduce the American bison to its original habitat, transporting 39 bison to date with the goal of reaching 300 specimens in the next five years. In El Salvador, the company works on the conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems by building nests and releasing endangered turtles, as well as reforestation and beach cleaning days, with the participation of more than 340 volunteers.

In Chile, AES collaborates with the Fundación para el Gaviotín Chico to protect this species and has achieved the creation of a nature sanctuary. In Panama, the Defensores de Manglares initiative promotes education in schools and the reforestation of 54 hectares of mangroves. These actions reflect AES's global commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, demonstrating that the company not only focuses on renewable energy generation but also on biodiversity conservation in all the regions where it operates.

About AES: AES Colombia is a subsidiary of AES Andes, owned by AES Corporation, a leading American company in energy solutions, part of the Fortune 500, with a presence in 13 countries and 40 years of experience offering safe, reliable, and sustainable energy. In Colombia, it has a 100% renewable portfolio, more than 25 years in the market, and significant assets such as the Chivor Hydroelectric Plant, the Tunjita Small Hydroelectric Plant, and the Castilla, San Fernando, and Brisas solar parks.

More information:

Juan David Quintero Corredor

Communications analyst

AES Colombia

juan.quintero@aes.com

Mobile: 320 5769292