THE ARHUACO COMMUNITY RECEIVES 236 HECTARES FROM TERRɅ INITIɅTIVE AND RELOCATES THE FIRST 4 FAMILIES IN TERRɅ SITE I

El Copey, Colombia | March 31st, 2025

In a significant step towards the recovery of Arhuaco ancestral territory, Greenwood Energy [GWE] has acquired and donated 236 hectares to the indigenous community in the municipality of El Copey, department of Cesar. The Mamus and Traditional Authorities of the Arhuaco People have chosen these properties due to their strategic location, which will allow them to strengthen the environmental, cultural and spiritual protection of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – Heart of the World – and the sacred spaces within the so-called “Black Line” [Decree 1500 of 2018].

This milestone marks a major step forward in the consolidation of TERRɅ INITIɅTIVE, a solar energy project that supports Colombia’s just energy transition while promoting sustainable development for the Arhuaco People and strengthening their strategy for environmental and cultural preservation. Born in the ancestral Kankurwas of Seykúmuke and Numa’ka, the initiative is rooted in an innovative development model that combines renewable energy with the protection of the Arhuaco ecosystem, culture, and autonomy.

Marcos Páez, Country Manager of GWE in Colombia, shared that “this land has been chosen by the Mamus in 2021 to carry out the first phase of the initiative, and it represents much more than just territory; it stands as a symbol of the trust and deep collaboration built between GWE and the Arhuaco People in bringing to life a landmark project for Indigenous communities across Latin America. We are deeply grateful for the guidance of the Mamus and the Traditional Authorities, whose leadership has been essential in making the handover of this land to the community a reality.”

Of the 236 hectares that make up the first phase of the initiative — TERRɅ Site I — approximately 50 hectares will be used for the deployment of two solar plants connected to Colombia’s National Interconnected System, with a total installed capacity of 52 MWp. The remaining land will be dedicated to conservation efforts and sustainable living practices led by the community, including the construction of a new traditional Indigenous village made up of 126 homes.

The design, lay out, and orientation of the village, named ‘The Star of the Dawn’, have been based on extensive traditional processes guided by the Mamus, and its construction will be carried out by the Arhuaco People themselves. Four families have already moved into the property, with a total of 45 families expected to settle there once the first TERRɅ Village is completed. Residents will integrate modern environmental stewardship techniques with their ancestral worldview and practices.

In addition, 49 hectares have been set aside for environmental restoration and reforestation, with plans to plant around 40,000 native trees. Beyond solar power generation, TERRɅ also aims to strengthen traditional agriculture, livestock farming, ancestral medicine, and community-based enterprises for the organic processing of local products such as cacao, coffee, and maize.

Noel Torres, who leads the project with the support of the Mamus from the original Kankurwas of Seykúmuke and Numa’ka, emphasized that “this is not an externally imposed project — it’s a path the Arhuaco community have actively pursued, fully aligned with our vision for territorial recovery and ecological restoration. Through TERRɅ, we’ll be able to acquire additional lands to protect our Mother Earth and preserve ecosystems without relying on agrochemicals or large-scale livestock farming.”

This partnership with GWE marks a historic milestone for the Arhuaco People and for Colombia, as it is the first time an Indigenous community has co-led a project of this scale in the Latin American energy sector. More than an economic achievement, TERRɅ embodies the Arhuaco People’s deep commitment to protecting the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta — recognized by the IUCN as “the world’s most irreplaceable natural reserve.”

TERRɅ INITIɅTIVE provides the financial resources for the Arhuaco community to acquire land, enabling them to strengthen their self-sufficiency and create spaces that reinforce their cultural roots and the conservation of key ecosystems. It’s a clear example of the potential that can be achieved when Indigenous communities and private companies open themselves to building a relationship of trust toward a common goal.

 

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