This Wednesday, the 25th, several planned power outages are planned in three provinces of the country. The National Electricity Corporation (CNEL EP) reported on Tuesday that it will carry out maintenance work to improve the quality of electric service at several points in Esmeraldas, Azuay and Santa Elena. These planned outages, which are not blackouts or power rationing, occur amid uncertainty surrounding the lack of electricity generation due to the dry season and the lack of certain alternatives to replace it. Today it was even found out that Cenace is already talking about the need to go towards rationing in an internal statement.

Meanwhile, the cuts scheduled for this Wednesday are:

On this topic, Fernando Salinas, an energy analyst, commented that, apart from official information from CNEL about these scheduled outages, the electrical situation in the country is extremely critical. He explained that the Mazar and Amaluza reservoirs are at the minimum technical operational limit. And if they fall below that level, energy will stop being generated. “We are on the verge of energy rationalization,” he said.

Esteban Albornoz, the former minister of electricity in Correato, also warned about energy problems that would lead to power outages. The former public official and energy expert assured that the situation with electricity production in Ecuador is extremely critical, getting worse every moment. “The electrical system is operating at the limit and with very high risks.” He also said that the power sector authorities must urgently adopt measures that are technically and economically appropriate. “Continuing to postpone decisions, with the risk of collapse, would produce catastrophic effects for society with incalculable operating costs,” he said. When asked what facts support his claims, he said that the reservoirs are very low and that Cenace has already requested approval from the Ministry of Energy to go into regulation.

Indeed, a communication from Cenace began circulating on social networks stating that due to the low reserves of energy stored in the reservoirs “it is necessary to start a period of rationalization in the Ecuadorian electricity system, which if there is no improvement in the water contributions of the main plants, especially the chain of Mazar-Paute -Sopladora, will enter into force on October 26. For this, Cenace needs the approval of the Ministry of Energy and the implementation of the crisis plan.

On the other hand, according to information from the Electric Corporation of Ecuador (Celec), the recovery of this Esmeraldas 1 thermal power plant is progressing according to the established schedule. Its commissioning, scheduled for October 31, could alleviate the situation to some extent. Celec said the generator rotor was installed over the past weekend, achieving 90% progress.

For the completion of the works, a regressive schedule of activities has been established from October 23 to 28, when the power plant start-up maneuvers begin. Among the activities carried out are: hydrogen system pipe maintenance, auxiliary system pipe regulation, generator electrical tests, exciter and electrical protection tests.

Between Sunday, October 29th and Monday, October 30th, final adjustments will be made to announce the availability of this plant from Tuesday, the 31st of this month. “The contribution of 125 MW is of great importance to cover the national demand for electricity, especially during the dry season.”

Čelec also said that the technicians, in their areas, intensified their work in order to adhere to this schedule. About a hundred technicians work up to 14 hours a day, in order to announce the availability of the plant before the scheduled time.

But what should you pay attention to before and during a power outage or power outage at the device?

Regarding the maintenance planned and announced by CNEL, the entity recommended citizens to turn off their electrical equipment and devices and take preventive measures while the works are being carried out.

On this topic, Fernando Salinas said that during a power outage it is really desirable to turn off electrical devices. He also indicated that there are general switches in the house that can be lowered to avoid shocks. He also felt that citizens need to check that their grounding systems are working properly; to do this, they must first ask a technician to perform the appropriate inspection and maintenance. The grounding system is a cable connected to a copper rod that allows the management of atmospheric discharges or voltage variations. In addition, he said that if houses do not have appropriate systems of this type and there is damage to electrical devices, then the citizen would not have the option of submitting a claim for compensation.