SDGs

Barroso 20MW hydroelectric project

Project type Hydro
Location Colombia
Project ID Gold Standard: 4822

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Project overview

The Barroso 20MW hydroelectric project is a run-of-river hydropower installation in the Antioquia Department of Colombia, sited along the Barroso River basin near the municipality of Salgar. The region's mountainous topography and high rainfall make it well suited to run-of-river hydro technology, which works in harmony with natural water flows and avoids the large reservoir and forest flooding traditional to conventional dams. The project is developed by H.E. Barroso S.A.S. E.S.P. and CeroCO2, and is registered with the Gold Standard for the Global Goals under GS 4822 using the ACM0002 methodology.

The project avoids approximately 47,425 tCO₂e per year by supplying around 131.24 GWh of clean electricity annually to Colombia's National Interconnected System (SIN). Installed capacity is 18.69 MW, with a gross capacity around 20 MW.

Community benefits

Rural socio-economic transformation: In an area historically reliant on seasonal coffee harvesting, the project introduces steady, formal technical contracts with full social-security benefits.
River-basin access improvements: Building the plant along the Barroso River required reinforcing local river crossings, bridges, and tracks, which local farmers now use to move coffee and produce to regional markets.
Sustainable-energy education in Salgar: The project runs environmental-awareness workshops with local schools in Salgar, alongside support for community halls and educational infrastructure in the municipality.

Environmental and biodiversity benefits

No large-scale flooding: By operating as a run-of-river facility, the project avoids the massive ecological and social displacement traditionally caused by large hydro-dams that flood whole valleys and destroy native forests.
River-flow ecosystem protection: The project strictly respects environmental-flow (caudal ecológico) regulations, ensuring enough water remains in the river bed at all times to sustain local aquatic fauna and riparian flora.
Air-pollution mitigation: By displacing thermal generation based on coal or natural gas, the project prevents the release of greenhouse gases and regional atmospheric pollutants.

Project information

Location	Barroso River basin, Salgar municipality, Antioquia Department, Colombia
Country	Colombia
Developer	H.E. Barroso S.A.S. E.S.P. / CeroCO2
Type	Run-of-river hydropower, grid-connected renewable energy (emission avoidance)
Methodology	ACM0002, Grid-connected electricity generation from renewable sources
Registry listing	Gold Standard GS 4822
Credit period	7 years, renewable