Ecuador to continue facing power outages due to energy shortage
Date
10/16/2024 6:03:04 AM
(MENAFN) Ecuador is set to continue facing power outages due to an ongoing energy shortage attributed to severe drought conditions, as announced by Energy Minister Ines Manzano on Monday. During an interview with local television station Teleamazonas, Manzano indicated that minimal power cuts would persist until the end of December, with some outages potentially lasting up to 10 hours. The government is actively working to mitigate these interruptions, although the situation remains challenging.
The country is grappling with its worst drought in 60 years, which has created a significant energy deficit of 1,080 megawatts. This crisis has been exacerbated by Colombia's recent decision to temporarily suspend electricity exports to Ecuador, further straining the nation's power supply. The combination of reduced hydroelectric output and external supply disruptions has resulted in heightened concerns over energy availability.
Despite these challenges, Minister Manzano assured citizens that improvements in power availability are anticipated by late November. She stated, "We will control, improve, and compensate for the service interruptions," emphasizing the government's commitment to addressing the energy crisis. Efforts are being made to reduce the duration of power cuts and to restore more reliable service as quickly as possible.
The impact of the blackouts has been significant, severely affecting productivity across various sectors. Business losses are estimated at approximately 12 million U.S. dollars for each hour of power outage, highlighting the economic toll of the ongoing energy crisis. As Ecuador navigates this difficult period, the government is under pressure to implement effective solutions to stabilize the energy supply and minimize the adverse effects on the economy and daily life.
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