Ecuador cuts power in half of its provinces amid historic drought
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Ecuador is gripped by its worst drought in 61 years.
PHOTO: REUTERS
QUITO - Ecuador’s government announced a suspension of electricity services for nine hours on Sept 22 in 12 of the Andean nation’s 24 provinces, and placed 19 areas on red alert, due to a drought that has reduced water levels of hydroelectric plants.
The blackout in the provinces would be from 8am local time until 5pm, the Ecuadorian presidency said in a statement released on the night of Sept 21 on social media platform X. It is in addition to the government’s plans announced on Sept 17 for eight-hour nightly power cuts nationwide from Monday to Thursday.
Ecuador is gripped by its worst drought in 61 years, as well as an energy crisis made worse by what the government says is lack of maintenance of existing dams and contracts to ensure new energy generation.
The Ecuadorian authorities said the extra suspension of electricity on Sept 22 was based on “protecting water resources”.
The measure was taken after a session of the Emergency Operations Committee on the night of Sept 21.
“We are in 19 provinces with shortages of water, fires and food security (issues),” Environment Minister Ines Manzano told reporters in Cuenca city on Sept 21. “The corresponding entities must accept and comply with the resolution declaring a red alert.”
After the government announced the planned power cuts on Sept 17, the military entered the Mazar hydroelectric plant of about 170 megawatts – considered key for its large storage capacity – to support its operation and protect it. REUTERS
