Starting March 21, electric service in Santa Elena will return to normal, according to Environment and Energy Minister Inés Manzano. The province has been experiencing power outages since late February due to a technical issue that led the National Electricity Corporation (CNEL) to implement daily scheduled rationing. The problems began on February 28, when damage to a autotransformer at a Transelectric substation prevented the delivery of 69 megawatts (MW) for distribution by Celec, as explained by Minister Manzano during a March 18 interview.

Manzano stated that a solution has been found to address the 'historical problem' of insufficient energy supply in the coastal province. A transformer with a larger capacity is set to be delivered to Santa Elena, which is expected to alleviate the ongoing power issues. Due to the significant weight of the equipment, approximately 109 tons, coordination for its transportation has been initiated with the Ministry of Transport.

This development is crucial for residents and businesses in Santa Elena, who have been struggling with consistent power supply challenges. The return to normal service is anticipated to significantly improve the quality of life for its inhabitants and support local economic activities that rely on stable electricity supply. The commitment made by the government to resolve this issue marks a positive step towards ensuring energy reliability for the community.