Ecuador to impose overnight power cuts due to drought

Ecuador will cut power supplies overnight starting next week due to drought, which is limiting the operation of hydropower plants. Reuters reported this today. Hydropower plants provide most of the country’s electricity. Ecuador is experiencing its worst drought in more than 60 years.

The Ecuadorian government announced today that power supplies will be cut from September 23 to 26, each night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. At the end of next week, the government will also make working from home mandatory for public sector employees. “The hours chosen for the power cuts are intended to minimize as much as possible any potential impact on production activities,” the government said in a statement.

Ecuador is facing a severe energy crisis caused by both drought and the age of its energy sector. The government is therefore trying to reduce electricity consumption. Power supplies will also be cut this Thursday from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Friday local time. The reason is maintenance on the electricity grid. The Interior Ministry has also imposed a curfew for the night from Thursday to Friday.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) says on its website that hydropower plants meet around 80 percent of electricity demand. This figure is from 2021. Other sources say hydropower plants meet more than 70 percent of demand.