Ecuador faces power crisis, with scheduled blackouts

Ecuador is experiencing an energy crisis marked by scheduled power cuts and maintenance work. This situation, exacerbated by unfavorable weather conditions, raises crucial economic and social issues for the country.

Share:

Réseau électrique Equadorien

Ecuador is facing a complex situation regarding its electricity supply, marked by scheduled outages and preventive maintenance measures.
The government recently announced a nationwide interruption in electricity service, scheduled to last at least eight hours.
The decision, taken by President Daniel Noboa, is aimed at carrying out maintenance work on the electricity transmission system, which is essential to guarantee continuity of service.
The blackouts are scheduled from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am local time, and will affect several provinces, including Morona Santiago, Santa Elena, Guayas and Azuay.
This situation is part of a wider context of energy challenges facing Ecuador.
In April, the country already suffered prolonged power outages, due to a drought that drastically reduced water levels in hydroelectric reservoirs.
The Mazar dam, which supplies the main hydroelectric plant, reached a critical water level of 0% in the middle of the month, illustrating the country’s vulnerability to climatic variations.
Power cuts, which had temporarily ceased with the return of rains in May, were reintroduced in June due to sediment build-up in the dam.

The challenges of preventive maintenance

The preventive maintenance announced by the government is a necessary response to recurring problems on the power grid.
Indeed, a recent outage, which occurred without warning, highlighted weaknesses in the system, notably a fault in the busbar of a substation.
This situation led the national electricity operator, Cenace, to declare an emergency in the area, due to low river flows affecting power generation.
The use of temporary solutions, such as the anchoring of a barge belonging to the Turkish company Karpowership in the Guayas River, testifies to the seriousness of the situation.
This barge, with a capacity of 100 megawatts, was set up to compensate for the country’s energy deficit.
The Vice-Minister of Electricity, Rafael Quintero, stressed the importance of these measures to stabilize the electricity supply, given that 92% of Ecuador’s electricity comes from hydroelectric power stations.

Economic and social implications

Power cuts and rationing measures are having a significant impact on the Ecuadorian economy.
Businesses, especially those dependent on a constant power supply, suffer financial losses and production interruptions.
This situation also creates social tensions, as citizens have to adapt to irregular electricity schedules, affecting their daily lives.
Authorities therefore have to navigate between the need to maintain electrical service and managing public expectations.
Implementing long-term solutions, such as improving infrastructure and diversifying energy sources, is essential to avoid future crises.
Ecuador also needs to consider investments in renewable technologies and energy storage systems to strengthen its resilience in the face of climatic hazards.

Future prospects

In the long term, Ecuador needs to rethink its energy strategy to meet the challenges posed by climate change and over-reliance on hydroelectricity.
Diversification of energy sources, including the development of solar and wind projects, could offer a sustainable solution.
In addition, improving energy efficiency and raising consumer awareness of demand management are key to reducing pressure on the power grid.
Recent events underline the importance of proactive planning and efficient management of energy resources.
Authorities also need to step up communication with the public to better manage expectations and provide information on the measures being taken to improve the situation.
By integrating innovative solutions and adopting a collaborative approach, Ecuador can look forward to overcoming its energy challenges and ensuring a reliable electricity supply for the future.

Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru significantly increase renewable electricity production, reaching nearly 70% of the regional electricity mix, according to a recent Wood Mackenzie study on Latin America's energy sector.
The Canadian government announces an investment of more than $40mn to fund 13 energy projects led by Indigenous communities across the country, aiming to improve energy efficiency and increase local renewable energy use.
The German Ministry of Economy plans to significantly expand aid aimed at reducing industrial electricity costs, increasing eligible companies from 350 to 2,200, at an estimated cost of €4bn ($4.7bn).
A major electricity blackout paralyzed large parts of the Czech Republic, interrupting transport and essential networks, raising immediate economic concerns, and highlighting the vulnerability of energy infrastructures to unforeseen technical incidents.
French greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2025, indicating a global slowdown in reductions forecast for the full year, according to Citepa, an independent organisation responsible for national monitoring.
The Republican budget bill passed by the U.S. Senate accelerates the phase-out of tax credits for renewable energies, favoring fossil fuels and raising economic concerns among solar and wind industry professionals.
Rapid growth in solar and wind capacities will lead to a significant rise in electricity curtailment in Brazil, as existing transmission infrastructure remains inadequate to handle this massive influx of energy, according to a recent study by consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.
In April 2025, fossil fuels represented 49.5% of South Korea's electricity mix, dropping below the symbolic threshold of 50% for the first time, primarily due to a historic decline in coal-generated electricity production.
The US Senate Finance Committee modifies the '45Z' tax credit to standardize the tax treatment of renewable fuels, thereby encouraging advanced biofuel production starting October 2025.
According to the 2025 report on global energy access, despite notable progress in renewable energy, insufficient targeted financing continues to hinder electricity and clean cooking access, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
While advanced economies maintain global energy leadership, China and the United States have significantly progressed in the security and sustainability of their energy systems, according to the World Economic Forum's annual report.
On the sidelines of the US–Africa summit in Luanda, Algiers and Luanda consolidate their energy collaboration to better exploit their oil, gas, and mining potential, targeting a common strategy in regional and international markets.
The UK's Climate Change Committee is urging the government to quickly reduce electricity costs to facilitate the adoption of heat pumps and electric vehicles, judged too slow to achieve the set climate targets.
The European Commission will extend until the end of 2030 an expanded state-aid framework, allowing capitals to fund low-carbon technologies and nuclear power to preserve competitiveness against China and the United States.
Japan's grid operator forecasts an energy shortfall of up to 89 GW by 2050 due to rising demand from semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Energy-intensive European industries will be eligible for temporary state aid to mitigate high electricity prices, according to a new regulatory framework proposed by the European Commission under the "Clean Industrial Deal."
Mauritius seeks international investors to swiftly build a floating power plant of around 100 MW, aiming to secure the national energy supply by January 2026 and address current production shortfalls.
Madrid announces immediate energy storage measures while Lisbon secures its electrical grid, responding to the historic outage that affected the entire Iberian Peninsula in late April.
Indonesia has unveiled its new national energy plan, projecting an increase of 69.5 GW in electricity capacity over ten years, largely funded by independent producers, to address rapidly rising domestic demand.
French Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher condemns the parliamentary moratorium on new renewable energy installations, warning of the potential loss of 150,000 industrial jobs and increased energy dependence on foreign countries.