The University of Los Andes and its Library System have received the donation of the José Eddy Torres Documentary Collection, belonging to the Colombian economist and researcher who was a pioneer in the fields of clean energy, the environment, and rural development.
This valuable collection brings together around 120 technical and academic documents, photographs, and press clippings produced between 1978 and 2014, which reflect José Eddy’s work in the energy, forestry, environmental, agricultural, and rural development sectors, both nationally and internationally. These documents highlight his ability to connect technical analysis with an understanding of social, economic, and environmental contexts, as well as his deep commitment to the sustainable development of communities.
The donation was made by Carolina Torres, daughter of José Eddy Torres, together with Juan Pablo Siza, Director of the Library System, and Diana Farley Rodríguez, Head of the Documentary and Bibliographic Heritage Area.
More than a collection, this archive represents the living legacy of a man whose vision transformed the way we understand the relationship between energy, territory, and social well-being. José Eddy Torres was a brilliant professional and an exceptional human being, remembered for his scientific rigor, his creativity in solving complex problems with simple and effective solutions, and his profound social sensitivity.
He used to say, humorously, that he was “a bit of a workaholic,” but in truth, his dedication went far beyond discipline — he was driven by passion for knowledge and service. His commitment to equity and his work focused on the most vulnerable territories left an indelible mark on every community, institution, and project he touched.
Due to its thematic richness and geographic scope, this collection constitutes a research source of great relevance for the study of the history and projection of energy engineering in Colombia and Latin America. At the same time, it preserves the legacy of a pioneer in clean energy and makes available to researchers and future generations invaluable material for understanding the challenges and progress in this field. The Documentary and Bibliographic Heritage Area will be responsible for the conservation, organization, and research of this collection to ensure its optimal safeguarding, preservation, future availability, and dissemination.
More than two years after his passing, the legacy of José Eddy Torres continues to illuminate the path toward a fair, sustainable, and deeply human energy transition — one that, like him, understands that true development begins within communities and grows through shared knowledge.
⚡️ Clean Energy began with the great JET (José Eddy Torres); his legacy is everlasting, and his work for the world of energy will live on forever.
