Winds of Change - Community Energy Cooperatives in Colombia

Challenge: Rural communities in Colombia's Guajira Peninsula had abundant wind resources but remained disconnected from the national grid. Residents relied on expensive, polluting diesel generators that ran only a few hours daily. Energy poverty limited economic opportunities and quality of life.  

Our Approach: Lexington Advisory Group worked with WindPower Cooperatives to establish community-owned renewable energy systems. Rather than traditional top-down development, we facilitated a cooperative model where communities would own and operate small wind turbines serving 50-100 households each.  

Implementation: We spent eight months building trust and understanding with six communities, helping them form legal cooperatives and develop technical capacity. Each cooperative received training in basic turbine maintenance, financial management, and energy distribution. We helped secure blended financing combining development grants with cooperative member contributions.  

Results: Six cooperatives now operate 14 wind turbines, providing reliable electricity to 2,300 people. Average household income increased by 89% as small businesses could operate extended hours. Children's educational outcomes improved with access to evening lighting and internet connectivity. The cooperatives generate surplus energy sold back to the grid, creating sustainable revenue streams.  

What Made It Work: Patient relationship-building and genuine power-sharing. We didn't impose solutions but facilitated community decision-making processes. When communities control their energy destiny, they protect and optimize it like no outside operator could.