The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, announced this Friday, October 16, that Colombia resumed the sale of electricity to his country, after several weeks of suspended exports. The decision allows additional energy to be incorporated into the Ecuadorian system amid a reduction in water reserves that has forced the Government to restrict supply to industrial sectors to prevent widespread blackouts.
"Thank you, Abelardo de la Espriella, for restarting the energy dispatch. In moments like these, brother countries back each other up with deeds," Noboa wrote on his X account, referring to the Colombian president. The leader added that Ecuador will reciprocate the support received when Colombia faces similar difficulties.
According to information published by the newspaper La Hora, the records of the National Electricity Operator (Cenace) showed on Friday morning an import of 347 megawatts (MW) coming from Colombia. This power represents approximately 6% of Ecuadorian maximum demand and constitutes a contribution to partially offset the decline in hydroelectric generation.
The resumption comes after Colombia suspended commercial exports on September 7 to prioritize its internal supply and preserve the reserves of its reservoirs in the face of adverse weather conditions. The neighboring country had previously restored sales in August, after…
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President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, and the president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella - credit Reuters
The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, announced this Friday, October 16, that Colombia resumed the sale of electricity to his country, after several weeks of suspended exports. The decision allows additional energy to be incorporated into the Ecuadorian system amid a reduction in water reserves that has forced the Government to restrict supply to industrial sectors to avoid widespread blackouts.
"Thank you, Abelardo de la Espriella, for restarting the dispatch of energy. In moments like these, brother countries back each other up with deeds," Noboa wrote on his X account, referring to the Colombian president. The leader added that Ecuador will return the support received when Colombia faces similar difficulties.
According to information published by the newspaper La Hora, records from the National Electricity Operator (Cenace) showed on Friday morning an import of 347 megawatts (MW) from Colombia. This power represents approximately 6% of Ecuadorian maximum demand and constitutes a contribution to partially offset the decline in hydroelectric generation.
Mónica Valiente waits for customers to arrive at her bakery, lit with a candle, during an electrical blackout due to rationing in Quito, Ecuador, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
The resumption comes after Colombia suspended commercial exports on September 7 to prioritize its domestic supply and preserve its reservoir reserves in the face of adverse weather conditions. The neighboring country had previously restored sales in August, after another interruption recorded during the first half of 2026.
According to information from the newspaper El Mercurio, the electrical interconnection between the two countries allows the transfer of approximately 450 megawatts under normal conditions. However, the economic conditions of the new operations and the total volume of electricity that Colombia will supply over the coming days have not yet been disclosed.
The restoration of the exchange coincides with the deteriorating conditions of the Mazar reservoir, a fundamental infrastructure for the Paute Integral hydroelectric complex, on which a significant portion of Ecuadorian electricity generation depends. According to records released this Friday, Mazar dropped to approximately 2,123 meters above sea level, just eight meters above the critical level of 2,115 meters. The sustained reduction in its reserves has increased the difficulties in maintaining hydroelectric production during the season of scarce rainfall.
FILE PHOTO - People gather in a store during a power outage in Quito, Ecuador, on September 7, 2024. REUTERS/Karen Toro
Faced with this scenario, the Ecuadorian government ordered scheduled disconnections of up to 72 hours for certain high- and medium-voltage industrial consumers. The restrictions seek to reduce electricity demand and preserve the available water to supply households. The measure has caused concern among productive sectors. According to information gathered by the EFE agency, the National Chamber of Aquaculture warned of possible impacts on employment and requested greater government transparency regarding the energy situation.
Ecuador thus faces a scenario reminiscent of the rationing recorded between 2023 and 2024, when insufficient generation forced the suspension of electricity supply for several hours daily. In September 2024, the interruptions extended to as long as fourteen hours.
09/08/2024 Electrical grid in Ecuador
POLITICS SOUTH AMERICA ECUADOR
NATIONAL ELECTRICITY OPERATOR ECUADOR (CENACE)
The situation also presents difficulties for Colombia, whose authorities had restricted exports precisely to protect their own electrical system against lower water inflows and the risks associated with the El Niño phenomenon.
For now, Ecuadorian authorities have not announced changes to the industrial restrictions as a result of the restoration of the Colombian supply. Nor has the price of the new imports been confirmed, a relevant component in determining their cost.
The recovery of the electrical exchange provides additional capacity to the Ecuadorian system, but its continuity will depend on the availability of Colombian generation and the hydrological conditions of both countries. Meanwhile, the evolution of the Mazar reservoir will continue to be decisive in establishing Ecuador's supply needs in the coming weeks.