:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/43LOY2A5JVFEPFUQ5PJJIFVG2Q.jpg "Energy crisis in Ecuador: the Government suspended the working day for two days due to the hydroelectric deficit")
Ecuador Declares Two-Day Work Suspension Due to Energy Crisis
In response to a historic deficit in the reservoirs that supply hydroelectric plants, Ecuador has ordered a two-day suspension of public and private work. This decision comes after blackouts lasting up to six hours due to the energy crisis.
President Daniel Noboa declared an emergency in the energy sector and dismissed the Minister of Energy after an investigation revealed the concealment of critical information about the storage levels in the Mazar and Paute reservoirs. The storage levels were found to be at 0% and 4%, respectively, exceeding historical records.
The energy crisis has prompted the government to implement energy rationing at certain times, with 22 people reported to the Prosecutor’s Office for “paralysis of public service.” Colombia has stopped exporting energy to Ecuador as a measure to address the serious drought associated with the El Niño phenomenon.
Former Minister of Energy, Esteban Albornoz, warned that the situation in the energy sector is extremely delicate and cannot be solved in the short term. He highlighted the lack of investment and maintenance in power plants as key factors contributing to the emergency.
Energy consultant José Luis Hidalgo also noted that a solution to rationing may not be seen in the short term and could extend for up to a year. The origin of the crisis is attributed to the lack of economic resources, with subsidies to sectors such as mining leading to an imbalance in energy costs.
Despite the challenges, President Noboa announced that the State will cover 50% of April payrolls for Ecuadorian households. The government aims to address the energy crisis and work towards restoring stability to the sector.