Forbes StaffEcuador, a country in South America, had to cut power in half of its provinces amid a historic drought.
Reports surfaced immediately after Ecuador in South America experienced a historic drought. This resulted in the nation cutting power in half of its provinces. The government of Ecuador announced the suspension of electricity service for nine hours on Sunday in twelve of the Andean nation’s 24 provinces and placed 19 areas on red alert.
Ecuador cuts power in half of its provinces due to a drought.
The government of Ecuador had to cut power off in half of its provinces, given a historic drought that reduced the water levels of hydroelectric plants. The suspension of electricity service was carried out by the government on Sunday for nine hours, during which twelve of the Andean nation’s 24 provinces placed 19 areas on red alert due to drought. The blackout in the provinces was from 8 am to 5 pm local time.
Eight-hour nightly power cuts nationwide.
The government of Ecuador announced on Tuesday eight-hour nightly power cuts across the nation from Monday to Thursday. Ecuador is gripped by the worst drought in 61 years, and an energy crisis made worse by what the government says is a lack of maintenance of existing dams and contracts to ensure new energy generation. The extra suspension of electricity on Sunday was based on “protecting water resources,” as told by the Ecuadorian authorities. The measure was taken on Saturday night after a session of the Emergency Operations Committee.
On Saturday, Ines Manzano, Environment Minister, told reporters in Cuenca, “We are in 19 provinces with shortages of water, fires, and food security. The corresponding entities must accept and comply with the resolution declaring a red alert.” Meanwhile, after the government’s announcement on power cuts, the military entered the Mazar hydroelectric plant, which has about 170 megawatts and is considered key for its large storage capacity, to support its operation and protect it.
