Ecuador has been forced to take drastic measures as it faces one of the worst droughts in over six decades, leading to a significant decrease in water levels at hydroelectric plants. In a bid to conserve water resources, the government has announced a nine-hour electricity service suspension on Sunday in 12 provinces. This outage is in addition to the previously announced nightly power cuts scheduled from Monday to Thursday.
The country's energy crisis has been exacerbated by a lack of maintenance of existing dams and insufficient contracts for new energy generation. As a result, 19 areas have been placed on red alert due to water shortages, fires, and food security concerns. The decision to implement these measures was made during an Emergency Operations Committee meeting on Saturday night.
Environment Minister Ines Manzano emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that multiple provinces are facing critical challenges that require immediate attention. In response to the crisis, the military has been called in to support the operation of key hydroelectric plants, such as the Mazar plant, to ensure their continued functioning and protection.
The government's priority is to safeguard water resources and mitigate the impact of the drought on the population. With these measures in place, Ecuador is working towards managing the current crisis and securing a sustainable energy future for the country.