How the Chorreritas Hydropower Project is safeguarding biodiversity in Colombia's San Andrés valley
Colombia’s Andean mountains are home to some of the world’s richest biodiversity – but they are also a prime location for renewable energy generation. When developed with care, hydropower provides clean energy and drives economic growth, yet its environmental footprint cannot be ignored. The balance between energy generation and ecosystem preservation is a fundamental dilemma, especially in fragile landscapes like the San Andrés valley. In this delicate landscape, the Chorreritas Hydropower Project is showing that responsible development and conservation can go hand in hand, writes Alex Trembath.
When complete, this run-of-river facility will provide 19.9 MW of installed power capacity to the region. Earlier this year, two years after construction began on the project, it was awarded Silver certification under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard – with biodiversity management among the key areas where it excelled. Commercial operations are expected to start by the end of 2026.
A hydropower project with a limited footprint
Owned by Energo-Pro and located in Colombia’s northern Antioquia region, the Chorreritas Hydropower Project was designed with a minimal terrestrial footprint to limit its impact on local ecosystems.
Only a small number of properties and a limited stretch of riparian forest along the San Andrés River are directly impacted by the development. However, despite the project’s relatively low land use, the high biodiversity value of the region and a history of intensive human activity mean that careful biodiversity management was essential from the outset.
Proactive biodiversity management at Chorreritas
From the earliest stages of planning, the project’s developers implemented a range of biodiversity management strategies aimed at minimising its environmental impact and enhancing conservation outcomes.
The project has developed management plans for key aquatic species, including the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), water opossum (Chironectes minimus), crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus), and the endangered Andean poison frog (Colostethus fraterdanieli). Amphibians and other vulnerable species are also closely monitored as part of a systematic approach to biodiversity management.
One of the most critical measures taken during the project’s early development has been a structured wildlife rescue and relocation program. As vegetation was cleared for construction, sensitive flora and fauna were carefully removed and relocated to suitable habitats. Initial data monitoring indicates high survival rates among relocated plants, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.
The project has also implemented driver training programs and installed wildlife protection signage to minimise accidental harm to animals in the vicinity.
Sensitive flora and fauna were carefully removed and relocated to suitable habitats during project preparation
Offsetting impacts through compensation and restoration
As with any significant infrastructure project, it is not always possible to avoid environmental impacts completely. To address this reality, Energo-Pro has committed to an extensive compensation program for Chorreritas. The project is acquiring more than 28 hectares of land to offset the 4.78 hectares of natural ecosystems and secondary vegetation affected by construction.
Of this, 20 hectares will be preserved in their natural state, while around 8 hectares will be actively restored. The biodiversity net gain from this effort will be carefully quantified to ensure conservation goals are met.
A key component of this compensation plan is the establishment of a conservation area in the upstream municipality of San José de la Montaña. This property exceeds regulatory requirements and offers additional offsets for future hydropower projects and the transmission line.
Situated in the biodiverse premontane forests of the Central Cordillera, this area is home to complex ecosystems with high structural and floristic diversity, underscoring its ecological importance.
Supporting ecological connectivity and habitat rehabilitation
In addition to these compensatory measures, the project developers are working proactively to strengthen ecological connectivity along the San Andrés River. Plans are underway to acquire land along the bypass reach, particularly on the left bank, and restore natural riparian forests using seedlings cultivated in the project’s nursery.
“By ensuring adequate water flow in the bypass reach, the project supports the rich aquatic life of the San Andrés River while generating clean energy. ”
So far, 2,394 trees have been planted along the riverbanks between the intake and the powerhouse, covering 5.6 hectares. This effort will enhance habitat continuity for species that rely on riparian corridors for movement and survival. Furthermore, the project has commenced a vegetation rehabilitation program on a 1.5-hectare property to compensate for impacts on epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants, such as orchids and bromeliads).
An initial planting of 583 trees has already been completed, marking the beginning of a long-term rehabilitation effort.
Preserving river life through environmental flows
Maintaining healthy river flows is a crucial pillar of the biodiversity strategy at Chorreritas. By ensuring adequate water flow in the bypass reach, the project supports the rich aquatic life of the San Andrés River while generating clean energy.
Rivers are not just conduits for water – they are living systems that depend on natural flow variations to sustain ecosystems. The environmental flow regime at Chorreritas is carefully designed to preserve key ecological processes.
Through continuous monitoring and adaptive management, the project ensures that the river’s natural rhythms are maintained, preventing habitat fragmentation and sustaining biodiversity along the river corridor. This approach highlights how modern hydropower can work in harmony with river ecosystems, setting a new benchmark for ecologically responsible energy development in Colombia's Andean region.
Lessons for sustainable hydropower development
The Chorreritas Hydropower Project offers a compelling example of how hydropower plants can integrate biodiversity management into their development plans. By maintaining a limited footprint, implementing wildlife protection measures, and investing in habitat restoration, the project demonstrates that energy infrastructure can coexist with environmental conservation.
For professionals in the hydropower sector, understanding best practices in biodiversity management is becoming increasingly important as the technology steps up its role in delivering the clean energy transition. The approach taken at Chorreritas provides key insights into how biodiversity impacts can be mitigated effectively while ensuring compliance with global sustainability standards.
Take the next step in biodiversity management
The Chorreritas case study highlights the importance of proactive and well-planned biodiversity management in hydropower, aligned with best practices set out in the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.
If you’re looking to deepen your expertise in this area, our online course on best practices in biodiversity management for hydropower projects provides the knowledge and tools you need. Through this self-paced course, you will gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity impacts from hydropower, learn how to screen and scope projects effectively, and explore strategies for mitigating risks while ensuring compliance with international best practices in sustainability.
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