popular articles

Drought: Colombia stops exporting electricity to Ecuador

Colombia recently halted its electricity exports to Ecuador, a decision taken in response to a persistent drought that threatens the stability of its hydroelectric power grid.
Exportations électricité Colombie Equateur

Please share:

Prolonged drought, exacerbated by El Niño, forced Colombia to suspend electricity exports to Ecuador. Andrés Camacho, Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, confirmed the complete halt to exports, prioritizing domestic demand due to low hydroelectric reservoir levels. Thermal power plants are operated at full capacity, supplemented by renewable energy sources to meet the needs of the Colombian population.

Emergency strategies and immediate impact

In response to the decline in water reserves to just 29.8% of capacity, according to national electricity operator XM, the authorities have implemented emergency strategies, including the maximum exploitation of thermal power plants and a pivot towards renewable energies. However, these measures may not be enough if the drought persists, foreshadowing possible nationwide electricity rationing.

Impact in Ecuador

Ecuador has not been spared this energy crisis. Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Mines was forced to introduce temporary electricity rationing, particularly in Quito, where cuts have already been made. The local energy company attributes these interruptions to emergency maintenance, but the reality of the energy deficit is clear.

Additional measures and future expectations

Colombia is also considering water rationing in Bogotá, where scheduled cut-offs have not generated the expected water savings. Mr. Camacho remains optimistic that the rains will arrive soon, which could ease the current crisis. Weather forecasts are therefore closely monitored by the authorities.

The stoppage of electricity exports from Colombia to Ecuador reflects the challenges of managing hydroelectric resources in times of drought. This situation highlights the need for countries in the region to assess and strengthen their capacity to manage future energy crises.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Kazakhstan announced the decontamination of over 360,000 m³ of oil waste inherited from the Soviet era, marking a major effort to reduce pollution on the Caspian Sea coast, which has suffered from decades of environmental degradation.
The year 2024 marks a climate turning point: the threshold of 1.5°C global warming is surpassed, fueling natural disasters and increasing pressure for more ambitious climate commitments.
The year 2024 marks a climate turning point: the threshold of 1.5°C global warming is surpassed, fueling natural disasters and increasing pressure for more ambitious climate commitments.
With a 1.5°C increase over the historical average, China experiences its hottest autumn since 1961. This phenomenon illustrates the growing impacts of climate change on the country and raises global concerns.
With a 1.5°C increase over the historical average, China experiences its hottest autumn since 1961. This phenomenon illustrates the growing impacts of climate change on the country and raises global concerns.
At COP29 in Baku, NGOs criticized the G20 for lacking leadership on energy transition. Despite progress on climate finance, the absence of commitments on fossil fuels provoked sharp disappointment.
At COP29 in Baku, NGOs criticized the G20 for lacking leadership on energy transition. Despite progress on climate finance, the absence of commitments on fossil fuels provoked sharp disappointment.
A Carbon Tracker report warns about the shortcomings in oil and gas companies' commitments to curb methane leaks, despite their critical climate impact.
Despite the rise of renewable energy, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels continue to grow, reaching 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024. The long-awaited peak remains uncertain, raising critical questions at COP29.
Despite the rise of renewable energy, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels continue to grow, reaching 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024. The long-awaited peak remains uncertain, raising critical questions at COP29.
At COP29, the European Union unveiled an international initiative aimed at limiting methane emissions linked to fossil fuels. This strategic effort relies on global cooperation and strengthened regulations.
At COP29, the European Union unveiled an international initiative aimed at limiting methane emissions linked to fossil fuels. This strategic effort relies on global cooperation and strengthened regulations.
CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will reach a record 37.4 billion tons in 2024, according to the Global Carbon Budget report. Despite progress in energy transition, fossil fuel demand persists.
CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will reach a record 37.4 billion tons in 2024, according to the Global Carbon Budget report. Despite progress in energy transition, fossil fuel demand persists.
Facing the threat of surpassing the 1.5 °C warming threshold, COP29 calls for an ambitious energy transformation. IRENA emphasizes the need to triple renewable energy capacities by 2030 to keep the energy transition on track.
As COP29 approaches, several indicators suggest progress in the fight against climate change. From reducing warming projections to stabilizing fossil emissions and renewable energy growth, the outlook is less bleak.
As COP29 approaches, several indicators suggest progress in the fight against climate change. From reducing warming projections to stabilizing fossil emissions and renewable energy growth, the outlook is less bleak.
The European Union recorded a historic reduction of 8.3% in its greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. This decrease marks progress towards climate goals, yet challenges remain to achieve carbon neutrality.
The European Union recorded a historic reduction of 8.3% in its greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. This decrease marks progress towards climate goals, yet challenges remain to achieve carbon neutrality.
Beyond CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases actively contribute to global warming, driving specific measures to limit their emissions. These lesser-known gases are at the core of researchers' and policymakers' concerns.
Beyond CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases actively contribute to global warming, driving specific measures to limit their emissions. These lesser-known gases are at the core of researchers' and policymakers' concerns.
One year after storm Ciaran, Enedis strengthens the electrical network in Brittany. By burying 1,100 kilometers of lines and modernizing cables, the company aims to reduce outages related to weather disruptions.
An NGO report warns of environmental risks associated with oil and gas concessions in the "Coral Triangle," one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, threatened by maritime traffic and oil spills.
An NGO report warns of environmental risks associated with oil and gas concessions in the "Coral Triangle," one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, threatened by maritime traffic and oil spills.
GenZero warns that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is becoming difficult without massive investments in energy transition technologies in the Asia-Pacific region.
GenZero warns that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is becoming difficult without massive investments in energy transition technologies in the Asia-Pacific region.
French emissions of atmospheric pollutants have significantly decreased between 2000 and 2023. However, France continues to face exceedances of air quality standards and occasional pollution episodes.
French emissions of atmospheric pollutants have significantly decreased between 2000 and 2023. However, France continues to face exceedances of air quality standards and occasional pollution episodes.
For several years, the notion of ecological debt has gained importance alongside public debt. This article explores its meaning, quantification, and the challenges related to its reduction, while examining the implications for future generations.
A tanker caught fire off Rostock, in the Baltic Sea, on Friday. Seven sailors were rescued, and the fire is now largely under control, according to German authorities.
A tanker caught fire off Rostock, in the Baltic Sea, on Friday. Seven sailors were rescued, and the fire is now largely under control, according to German authorities.
According to DNV, global energy-related CO2 emissions are peaking this year due to the decreasing costs of renewables. However, increased efforts are necessary to meet the climate targets set by the Paris Agreement.
According to DNV, global energy-related CO2 emissions are peaking this year due to the decreasing costs of renewables. However, increased efforts are necessary to meet the climate targets set by the Paris Agreement.
Carbon dioxide is well-known, but other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases also play a crucial role in climate warming. This article explores their impact and the measures taken to control them.
Carbon dioxide is well-known, but other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases also play a crucial role in climate warming. This article explores their impact and the measures taken to control them.
Waste management in India remains a major environmental challenge, with only 20% of the 65 million tons generated each year being processed, despite local initiatives involving people with disabilities in recycling programs.
California is suing ExxonMobil for allegedly misleading the public about the effectiveness of its advanced recycling technologies, accusing the company of contributing to the global plastic pollution crisis.
California is suing ExxonMobil for allegedly misleading the public about the effectiveness of its advanced recycling technologies, accusing the company of contributing to the global plastic pollution crisis.
Global methane emissions, which are rising steadily, require an immediate political and industrial response to stabilize the climate and control the associated economic costs.
Global methane emissions, which are rising steadily, require an immediate political and industrial response to stabilize the climate and control the associated economic costs.
Philippine authorities have recovered 96% of the fuel oil from a tanker sunk in Manila Bay. The successful operation prevented a major oil spill, with minimal economic impact.
Philippine authorities have recovered 96% of the fuel oil from a tanker sunk in Manila Bay. The successful operation prevented a major oil spill, with minimal economic impact.

Advertising