Ecuador's electricity demand has been met entirely by local generation since January, predominantly from hydro sources, as the dry season comes to an end.
Since January, Ecuador has relied entirely on its domestic energy generation to meet electricity demands, primarily utilizing hydroelectric power, which represents over 75% of the country's electricity production as of March 17. Thermal plants contributed 22.5%, with minimal input from renewable sources and imports from Colombia, which have been suspended since January 22 due to political and regulatory issues.
The national electricity operator, Cenace, confirms that, despite the suspension of international electricity transactions with Colombia, Ecuador's electrical system possesses sufficient capacity to autonomously meet daily demand. This self-sufficiency is particularly significant in light of the ongoing dry season, which typically strains energy resources but, this year, has allowed for a robust performance by the country's hydroelectric facilities.
In further developments, the government has green-lit the construction of a 200-megawatt solar power plant in Santa Elena, signaling a push towards diversifying its energy sources further. Environment and Energy Minister Inés Manzano highlighted the integrated use of the energy system and stated that the current measures ensure sustained energy availability as Ecuador anticipates the end of its dry season, potentially leading to increased hydropower generation in the upcoming months.
