Designing a Digital Transformation Strategy for Hydropower Generation in Colombia

Energy transition is driving substantial changes in the global electricity industry, yet large-scale digital transformation strategies for hydropower remain underexplored. This paper presents a case study on the design and early implementation of a digital transformation strategy for hydropower generation for one of the largest power generation companies in the Colombian electricity market. The research addresses the gap in study cases detailing digital transformation strategies and concrete digital transformation architecture for hydropower generators at the countrywide level. In this paper, we provide a detailed characterization of the Colombian electricity market while revealing the derivable benefits of digitally transformed electricity generation. While the designed strategy is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the company’s power generation and maintenance processes, it can also increase the flexibility of the electric grid to enable wind-solar energy incorporation in the Colombian electricity market. The project is currently under implementation and is expected to be fully operational by 2025.