Ecuador to begin drought-driven power cuts early

The Tomebamba river is pictured at its lowest level in recent years due to drought, in Cuenca, Ecuador on September 18, 2024. – Ecuador will implement nationwide eight-hour night-time blackouts and teleworking in the public sector to deal with the worst drought in 60 years that threatens its hydroelectric plants, the government said on Tuesday. (Photo by Fernando Machado / Agence France-Presse)

QUITO — Ecuador will begin scheduled power cuts a day early, the government said Saturday, aimed at rationing electricity as the hydroelectric power-dependent country faces its worst drought in 61 years.

Nightly blackouts were planned from Monday to Thursday, but extra rationing will now take place during the day from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm on Sunday in 12 provinces, according to a presidential statement.

Sunday’s power cuts are aimed at “safeguarding the water resources” available after 71 days of no rain, it said.

Low water levels have seen the reservoirs of hydroelectric plants that cover 70 percent of national demand fall to critical levels.

The presidential statement also said further measures may be imposed.

“On Sunday at noon, after evaluating the water situation in the region, the country and each province, the necessary complementary measures will be announced,” it added.

Power was cut for up to six hours on Wednesday night in several areas as the government carried out maintenance works ahead the blackouts.

The national Emergency Operations Committee (COE) on Saturday extended its red alert which was imposed in 15 provinces, including that of the capital Quito.

The chamber of commerce in the southwestern commercial city of Guayaquil estimated that Ecuador would lose around $12 million for every hour of blackout.

“During the blackouts registered at the beginning of the year, losses exceeded US$1.44 billion (1.4 percent of GDP),” the chamber said two weeks ago.

The country imposed electricity rationing of up to 13 hours a day in April due to the drought.