As a result of the severe drought (lack of rain on the eastern side) already installed in the country, hydroelectric plants – which normally provide 90% of electricity – now produce only 79%. The rest, or 21%, is covered by thermoelectric energy. This is proven by the report of the National Electricity Operator (Cenace) dated October 4. Such a dry period already marks, as almost every year, a new photo in the way of obtaining energy. The lack of rain in the Amazon or the eastern region causes a significant drop in hydropower production.

Of the hydropower plants, in the eastern zone, Paute Molino contributes the most with 34%, while Coca Codo Sinclair contributes with 25%. They are followed by Agoyán San Francisco (8%) and Sopladora (7%).

On the east side there are other plants, which also have a low flow, such as Mazar (6%) and Delsitanisagua (3%).

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On the western side, there are hydropower plants that produce energy and do not present a flow problem. Among them are Minas San Francisco (1%) and Manduriacu and Sarapullo, which, together with other small ones, manage to complete 17% of the total production of hydropower plants.

In addition to the climate phenomenon and whether it rains or not in the territory of Ecuador, it is important that the country has production to compensate for the drop in hydroelectric power. However, it is a question that has not been strengthened.

Because of this, there was a power outage in several areas of the state territory last Monday, and there were even announcements by the authorities themselves, which they later denied, that there would be specific blackouts between October 3 and 5. In order to cover the demand, we currently had to resort to buying power from Colombia.

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For Esteban Albornoz, former Minister of Electricity and Professor Correato, the energy problems we are facing now are caused by the problem of demand since it is growing by 4% and 5% every year in Ecuador. This means that it will be necessary to build new alternatives that will generate between 200 mw or 300 mw per year. Unfortunately, he says that nothing has been done in six years. He admits that, for example, the Toachi Pilatón factory was not working, but says that it is not best to blame this type of problem, but to keep moving forward. “Controlling bodies must establish responsibilities, but this does not mean that new projects continue to be implemented to cover the growth in demand.”

In any case, Albornoz warned the Government to carefully manage the Mazar reservoir. This must be left with a reserve of 400 million cubic meters so that it can be used in November and December. The amount of that stock should be monitored so that there are no critical moments on those key dates, he said.

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The situation of the electricity park in the country is complex, because many thermal power plants (which are on the western side) are old and must be constantly maintained. In the meantime, the Sopladora hydroelectric power plant had problems due to the poor quality of materials (wheels and nuts) in the turbines, as a result of which two of the three aggregates were paralyzed. However, authorities said one of them would be operational again on Thursday.

Toachi Pilatón is not finishing his process, although one of his units: Sarapullo is fully operational. The other, Alluriquín, is still awaiting the electro-assembly process that would be ready in 2024.

Another problem is the gas production of Termogás Machala. This would require more gas to generate the total 230 mw of its capacity. However, there is currently no such amount of gas, among other things, because there was no rush to tender for the Amistad field. In fact, they are thinking about importing gas for six months, although it is not clear whether it will be possible to bring gas for this dry season.

Projects on the way

In any case, Energy Minister Fernando Santos Alvite used the morning of October 4 and the Enaep forum (Annual Energy and Petroleum Meeting) to indicate that the government is planning several projects that could mean about 800 mw per year.

He said that a contract has been signed for a photovoltaic station in El Arom. This will be located where “one sees the refinery”, referring to the failed Pacific refinery. He also said that there is a new Villonaco in Loja, which represents a generation of 100 mw.

The minister is sorry that these projects took so long, because, he said, when Minister René Ortiz was there, they were already awarded, but until 2022, when he returned as minister, they were still in the same status .

In addition, he indicated that a 500 MW renewable energy block project has already been signed, which includes ten projects: six solar, three wind power plants and one hydro power plant. For that, said the minister, private investments are needed.