Quito. The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Ecuador today, Saturday, surprisingly announced “emergent” electricity cuts of up to 12 hours a day, in the context of the energy crisis facing the country due to the drought.
“The rationing will be in effect from Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10, with a duration of up to 12 hours a day, applying throughout the national territory,” the Ministry said in a statement.
He explained that this decision was made due to “scheduled and emergency maintenance” at the Agoyán, San Francisco hydroelectric plants and other thermal plants.
“These maintenances are essential to ensure the continuity and safety of the National Electrical System, as well as to prevent major failures,” he justified.
He added that the blackouts, of up to 12 hours, also respond to the fact that, during November, “new historical lows” have been recorded in the flows of the main Mazar and Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plants, “which has impacted the generation and supply of energy”.
The Mazar plant, located in the province of Azuay (south), is part of the Paute Integral Hydroelectric Complex that contributes 1,757 megawatts to the national interconnected system, which is why it is considered the most important to regulate the national energy system.
Meanwhile, Coca Codo Sinclair, located between the Amazonian provinces of Napo and Sucumbíos, is the largest hydroelectric plant with 1,500 megawatts of capacity.
The increase in hours of power outages occurs a day after the Minister in charge of Energy, Inés Manzano, announced that the blackouts would increase from six to eight hours starting November 10.
The Ministry of Energy indicated in this Saturday’s statement that it monitors hydroelectric plants and “makes decisions based on the changing reality.”
The blackouts in Ecuador, whose energy matrix depends on 72 percent of water, have worsened since September 23 due to the worst drought in the last six decades that has affected the reservoirs of hydroelectric plants, according to the Government.
Due to this unprecedented energy crisis, the country had up to 14 hours of power outages per day last October, generating a strong impact on families, businesses and industries.
Ecuador faces a deficit of around 1,000 megawatts to meet its national demand, according to authorities.
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