QUITO, Ecuador: Ecuador’s government announced a nine-hour power suspension on Sunday across 12 provinces due to a severe drought that has lowered water levels in the country’s hydroelectric plants.
The blackout will last from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in addition to the already planned nightly power cuts of eight hours, set to continue from Monday to Thursday nationwide.
The drought, the worst in Ecuador in 61 years, has worsened the country’s energy crisis. Authorities cite a lack of maintenance on dams and contracts for new energy generation as exacerbating factors. The government said the additional power suspension was necessary to protect water resources.
Environment Minister Ines Manzano stated that 19 provinces are facing water shortages, wildfires, and food security concerns, prompting the declaration of a red alert. The Emergency Operations Committee has urged all relevant entities to comply with the red alert resolutions.
To mitigate the crisis, the military has entered the Mazar hydroelectric plant, a key facility with a capacity of 170 megawatts, to ensure its operation and security. The drought and power cuts are expected to heavily impact daily life and the economy in affected areas.
