The Ecuadorian government expects to fully restore power within hours after a power failure caused a complete blackout, Public Works Minister Roberto Luque said.
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“By the beginning of the press conference, we had about 1,100 megawatts of operating generating capacity, this covers about 40-50% of demand. The expected time for full restoration is 3-4 hours,” Luque said during the press conference.
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According to the minister, delays may arise with the commissioning of the thermal power plant due to the technological features of the connection. Local media report that electricity has already been restored in the capital and certain areas of Guayaquil.
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Roberto Luque later reported that power supplies had been restored to 95 percent after a major outage in Ecuador.
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Power supply in Ecuador was completely out for several hours after a power line failure and cascading blackouts of generating capacity. There was a transport collapse in Quito and major cities – the metro stopped working, traffic lights and road lighting went out, and Internet and mobile traffic fell sharply.
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A similar incident occurred in Ecuador in 2004, and according to Minister Luque, the reason for this shutdown is due to a systemic lack of investment in the industry.
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Ecuador is currently experiencing a severe energy crisis. Due to a lack of generating capacity, low water levels in reservoirs and a cessation of electricity imports from Colombia, the country’s power has gone out for several hours every day since the spring.
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Against the backdrop of the crisis, the Ministry of Energy of Ecuador has instructed to resolve the problems that are preventing the completion of the construction of the Toachi Pilaton hydroelectric power station complex, the equipment for which is supplied by the Russian Tyazhmash. The project involves the construction of two hydroelectric power stations, Sarapuyo and Ayurikin (total capacity of 254.53 MW). The first of them has been put into effect.
