Ecuador Implements Electricity Rationing Due to Ongoing Drought in the Northern Andes | Global News

Ecuador Begins Rationing Electricity Due to Drought Linked to El Niño

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador has implemented electricity rationing in its main cities as a result of a drought associated with the El Niño weather pattern. The drought has led to depleted reservoirs and reduced output at hydroelectric plants, which typically generate about 75 per cent of the nation’s power.

The ministry of energy announced the power cuts on Monday night, urging Ecuadorians to reduce their electricity consumption during this critical period. The ministry stated that each kilowatt and each drop of water saved would help the country cope with the current situation.

This move comes after Colombia’s capital city of Bogotá recently had to ration water due to record-low reservoir levels caused by dry weather. In La Calera, a town near Bogotá, residents lined up with buckets to collect water from trucks as a local stream that supplies the town is drying up.

The drought in Ecuador and Colombia is attributed to warming temperatures in the south Pacific Ocean, which can lead to both floods and droughts along South America’s west coast. In response to the energy crisis, Colombia is considering offering tax credits to companies that reduce their electricity consumption.

Experts warn that relying solely on hydroelectric power leaves countries vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They emphasize the importance of diversifying the energy mix to ensure reliability in the face of growing demand for electricity.

Newspapers in Ecuador have published schedules for power cuts in cities like Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil, where homes and businesses experienced three-hour outages. This is not the first time Ecuador has faced power cuts due to droughts, with similar situations occurring in October, January, and February.

As the region grapples with the effects of El Niño-induced droughts, authorities are urging citizens to conserve energy and water to mitigate the impact on daily life.