Cartagena Implements Second Phase of AI-Powered Smart Lighting in Partnership with EPM

Cartagena, October 31, 2025. The District of Cartagena, in partnership with Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM), has begun the second phase of its smart public lighting pilot project, incorporating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) functionalities for monitoring mobility, security, and air quality. This expansion — which adds UbiHub devices and AQM sensors to the 600 nodes already installed — positions the city as a leader in intelligent urban management. The initiative aligns with energy efficiency and sustainability models that could reduce operational costs by up to 20% annually, according to sector estimates from the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

This initiative demonstrates how port cities like Cartagena can attract green capital flows. By optimizing the energy consumption of a service that accounts for about 15% of municipal electricity use, the project not only reduces emissions — estimated at 5,000 tons of CO₂ annually from public lighting — but also generates actionable data to inform climate resilience policies.

Second Phase: Integrating AI and Sensors for Predictive Management
The new stage adds capabilities that go beyond the remote control of LED luminaires, a function introduced in April 2025 with 600 nodes enabling scheduled lighting, energy measurement, and predictive fault detection. Now, UbiHub devices — 4K HD cameras with edge analytics — monitor vehicles and pedestrians in real time on major avenues like Santander and Blas de Lezo. They count traffic flows and serve as public Wi-Fi access points. This technology processes data locally to reduce latency and provides valuable insights to the Department of Transportation, improving traffic management in a city that welcomes 3 million tourists annually.

In parallel, AQM sensors measure environmental variables such as ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter (PM2.5), and noise (dB), providing real-time alerts for emergencies. In coastal areas like Cartagena, where air quality is under pressure from port traffic — with PM10 levels exceeding WHO standards by 15% during peak tourist seasons — these data enable evidence-based decisions such as vehicle restrictions that could cut pollutants by 10–15%.

From a financial standpoint, this scalability offers EPM a projected 25% return on investment (ROI) over three years, thanks to predictive maintenance savings and data monetization through urban platforms. For the District, with an annual lighting budget of 150 billion pesos, dimming control could save 20 billion pesos, freeing resources for other priorities under the 2030 Agenda, such as SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

First Phase: Building the Technological Foundation
The initial phase covered 600 luminaires in critical areas, ensuring GPS geolocation and real-time data transmission. Nodes were distributed across neighborhoods like La Carolina (30 units), Troncal del Norte–Boquilla (47), Tierra Bomba Island (74), and Cargo Corridor (120 total), prioritizing signal coverage and responsiveness to failures — which accounted for 12% of service interruptions in 2024.

This network not only improves road visibility — complying with RETILAP and pedestrian safety standards — but also integrates technical records for asset traceability, facilitating data-driven budgeting. Broadly speaking, it enhances the perception of safety, a key factor in boosting tourism — a sector that contributes 8% of Cartagena’s GDP — by reducing nighttime incidents by 18%.

At Smart City Expo Cartagena 2025, which gathered 5,000 global experts, María Patricia Porras Mendoza, the District’s General Secretary, stated that “this stage enables deeper analyses to uncover new opportunities in a smart city.” The event fostered $200 million in urban solution partnerships, strengthening Cartagena’s position as a regional innovation hub aligned with the national goal to digitalize 50% of public services by 2030.

Strategic Partnership with EPM: Modernization and Service Expansion
Since 2021, EPM has operated Cartagena’s public lighting system, investing in the replacement of 48,000 luminaires with LEDs — cutting energy use by 50% — and installing 22,000 additional units in rural and island areas, including 100 solar-powered lights on Isla Fuerte. These initiatives, totaling 300 million pesos over four years, have illuminated landmarks like the city walls and historic center, improving energy efficiency by 25% and enhancing public safety perception.

Jorge Cerezo Restrepo, EPM’s Transmission and Distribution Manager, emphasized that “these advances reflect a commitment to innovation and sustainability, transforming lighting into an urban platform.” In a sector where LED migration saves the nation 1.2 billion pesos annually (according to the Ministry of Energy), Cartagena’s public-private partnership serves as a replicable model with potential to attract $1 million in smart cities across Colombia in 2025, as estimated by ANDI.

Implications for Sustainability and Urban Development
The benefits go beyond operational improvements. Environmental monitoring helps mitigate risks for vulnerable populations, such as in Tierra Bomba, where noise and pollution affect 5,000 island residents. Inclusive Wi-Fi connectivity helps close the digital divide — as 30% of Cartagena residents lack stable access — supporting inclusion in education and e-commerce.

Economically, this scalable infrastructure could integrate flood or tourism sensors, boosting Cartagena’s GDP — projected to grow 4% in 2025, according to the Chamber of Commerce — by creating a data-driven ecosystem that attracts tech startups. For utility investors, it represents a low-risk case, with extended luminaire lifespans (from 5 to 10 years) and certified green ROI aligned with sustainable bonds, which have raised 2 billion pesos in the local market this year.

In Conclusion, the second phase of Cartagena’s smart lighting pilot not only optimizes a vital public service but also accelerates the city’s transition toward a data-driven, energy-efficient smart city. Supported by partnerships like EPM’s, this evolution positions Cartagena as a model for other Colombian cities, advancing national sustainability goals amid the challenges of climate change.

Original Article (Spanish): HERE