Energía Atenea, a subsidiary of Grupo EPM, began operations in 19 municipalities across the Colombian departments of Cesar, Bolívar, and Magdalena after 18 months of preparation. ^[1] Energía Atenea has assumed electric service in 35 municipalities in the Caribbean region of Colombia. ^[2] Energía Atenea, a new subsidiary of Grupo EPM, began operating on September 1, 2026, in 35 municipalities previously served by Afinia. ^[3] Energía Atenea's initial operational focus was the department of Cesar with investments exceeding $493.000 million pesos, though its scope expanded to include Bolívar and Magdalena. ^[4] The new company will assume the distribution and commercialization of electricity in these areas, replacing the operations previously handled by Afinia. ^[5] The transition to Energía Atenea was driven by a deficit exceeding one trillion pesos that Afinia faced due to energy losses and the need for network modernization. ^[6] Energía Atenea will serve approximately 365,000 customers under its new responsibility. ^[7] The company is now responsible for a wide infrastructure network in the departments of Cesar, Magdalena, and the southern part of Bolívar. ^[8] Grupo EPM stated that more than 40% of first-stratum clients of Afinia do not pay for the energy they consume. ^[9] Grupo EPM stated that the market split was an strategy to address the complex financial situation in the Caribbean energy sector. ^[10]