Just a decade ago, Ecuador was transitioning to hydroelectric power, aiming to harness its abundant rivers to meet growing energy demands and drive economic growth. However, this vision is now challenged by a severe drought linked to climate change, which has significantly affected the country's power grid.
Since September, Ecuador has faced daily energy cuts lasting up to 14 hours. The drought has dried rivers and reservoirs, resulting in widespread blackouts, loss of water supply, and disrupted communication services. An industry group estimates the nation loses $12 million in productivity and sales for every hour of power outage.
The drought affecting Ecuador mirrors similar issues globally, with countries such as Zambia and China also experiencing significant power outages due to water scarcity related to climate conditions. More than one billion people reside in nations where hydropower constitutes over 50% of their energy sources, and many scientists predict that climate change will make hydropower increasingly unreliable.
In Ecuador, President Daniel Noboa recently promised to alleviate the power cuts, claiming that energy imports from Colombia would help ease the crisis. Energy experts, however, caution that without substantial rainfall, outages may persist until 2026, emphasizing the need for diversification in the country’s energy sector.
The roots of Ecuador's energy struggles can be traced back to investments made under former President Rafael Correa, who initiated numerous hydroelectric projects to modernize the energy landscape. However, challenges including design flaws and subsequent administrations' maintenance neglect have contributed to the current crisis.
Former presidents have expressed differing views on the energy crisis, with some attributing the issue to the excessive focus on hydroelectric energy, which has rendered the system vulnerable to climate change. Others cite economic challenges and the need for long-term solutions to energy security.
Various social sectors are feeling the impacts of the ongoing power cuts, including educational institutions and small businesses. A notable example is a foundation in Quito that provides job training for individuals with disabilities, which faces severe financial strain due to rising energy costs.
Small businesses, such as ice cream shops dependent on refrigeration, have also been heavily affected, losing significant inventory due to outages. Moreover, the poorest communities bear the brunt of the crisis, as they lack safety nets during energy shortages.
The situation poses critical challenges for families like that of Katherine Mantilla, whose newborn daughter relies on an oxygen tank, yet cannot afford to refill it due to the loss of income from her job selling sandwiches at busy traffic stops.