According to the national electricity operator Cenace, the levels of the main reservoirs in the eastern region of Mazar and Paute have recovered between 3 and 6 meters. This recovery made it possible, according to the Government’s announcements, to reduce rationing, which began on October 27. However, the levels remain low compared to the maximum levels.

For example, Mazar went from 2,116 meters above sea level (masl) recorded on October 27 – when the day began – to 2,119 (masl) on November 15, implying a rise of three meters; In the same period, Paute rose from 1976 to 1982 meters above sea level, an increase of nine meters.

However, the current levels are still far from the maximum levels: 2153 for Mazar and 1991 for Paute. Namely, Mazar still remains 34 meters below, and in the case of Paute, nine meters below the maximum limit.

According to Fernando Salinas, an energy analyst, although there has been an increase in the levels in the main reservoirs, this does not solve the rationalization. What is being done now is managing the reservoirs in line with energy demand, but in December that demand will increase much more because of the festivities in Quito, the Christmas lights holiday and the end of the year. Jobs are also reactivated and require more energy and longer working hours. Then these levels will not be enough and there will not be much work.

As for Cenaca’s figures, he explains that in the case of Mazara, the largest reservoir with 400 million m3 of storage, it serves to feed Amaluza and Sopladora. The three counters that have increased represent approximately two or three days of production. However, there are still a few meters left to reach the maximum limit (approximately 15 meters).

Salinas understands limits like a cell phone battery. When it is at its maximum level, it means that it can produce electricity for 15 days without interruption, but as it falls, it has a lower production capacity for days. The possibility of continuing production will depend on the rains.

In any case, he explains that power generation from Coca Codo Sinclair, on the other hand, was very solvent. Although it does not have an accumulation reservoir, but only a compensatory one, the dry season did not cause much inconvenience, since it is located in the northern part of the Amazon region. The drought manifested itself more towards the southeastern part. Coca Codo now produces 49% of hydropower, which would represent 40% of total electricity production.

On November 16, Cenace announced that the production of electricity from hydroelectric power plants is 70%, and the production of heat energy is 30%. This is an increase in hydropower if we take into account that in the previous days this type of production fell by up to 62 percent. Normally – when there is no dry season – 90% of hydroelectric energy is produced.

On the other hand, the Hidronación and Pisayambo reservoirs have decreased since October 27. Hydronación (Daule Peripa), located in the Coast region, was at 75.7 meters above sea level on October 27, and is currently at 75 meters above sea level, and its highest level is 85.7 meters above sea level. Pisayambo, located in the Yambo lagoon, was located at 3,557 meters above sea level. Now it is located at 3,553 meters above sea level, but its highest height is 3,565 meters above sea level.

The figures presented by Cenace, says Salinas, show that there is not much rain in the Costa region either. In short, low levels are visible throughout the area, or at least still have to remain within the maximum limits.

Regarding Hidronation (Daula Peripa), he explains that it is a multipurpose project, which has a large storage capacity, but it is not used exclusively for production. The first priority of the objectives is to regulate the flooding of the Guayas River, then comes irrigation, drinking water and energy production. What is positive about this reservoir is that it is located on the western slope.

According to Cenace, Ecuador’s electrical system has reservoir hydroelectric power plants, run-of-river hydroelectric power plants, thermal power plants, and non-conventional renewable power plants (for example: photovoltaics, wind power plants, those that use biogas, bagasse as fuel).

Currently, there are 4 hydroelectric power plants with reservoirs, 55 run-of-river hydroelectric power plants, 110 thermal aggregates and 8 power plants based on non-conventional renewable energy sources in the operational register; Of these, the first two power plants use water as the primary resource (hydropower plants with reservoirs and run-of-river hydropower plants, a total of 59).