Ecuador loses around 12 million dollars for every hour of blackout, according to government

Ecuador loses around 12 million dollars for every hour of blackout, as stated this Wednesday by the interim Minister of Energy and Mines, Roberto Lucasafter accepting that the measures adopted by the Government to overcome the energy crisis that the country has been experiencing for several weeks are still insufficient.

The loss, accordingThe first numbers we have are around 12 million dollars per hour without electricity, which generates around 72 million dollars per day, which is quite considerable and regrettable, and we are working to get out of that situation.“, said the minister at a press conference.

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And the rationing periods that have been applied in most provinces on a national scale reach around six hours a day, although in recent days in some sectors it was between 8 and 13 hours.

Luque highlighted that the improvement in the flow of the rivers that feed the hydroelectric complex of Guidelinein the south of the country, with three plants that together have a power of 1,757 megawatts, improved due to the recent rains in that area, which meant that periods of electricity rationing did not increase.

However, he added that Coca Codo Sinclair Factorythe largest hydroelectric plant in the country with a capacity of 1,500 megawatts, had to stop its operation for twelve hours as a precaution, as a lot of sediment was recorded in the flows of the tributaries that feed it.

He recalled that the Government is studying the possibility of contracting additional energy, such as that provided by electricity production barges and other solutions, which add to a series of actions to improve the existing supply in the country.

“The measures taken to exit the period of (electricity) cuts are important but not sufficient”, Luque accepted after warning that strict monitoring of hydrological conditions is maintained in the areas where the country’s hydroelectric plants are located.

He also highlighted the contribution of the mining sector, which offered to reduce its electricity consumption by around 33 megawatts from next Friday, within the scope of a “citizen and private co-responsibility campaign to overcome the current crisis”.

Ecuadorcountry whose electricity generation matrix depends mainly on water, is experiencing a serious drought that left the reservoir Mazarat the Paute Riverwhich with a capacity of 410 million cubic meters is the second largest in the country.

Added to this is the suspension of electricity supply from Colombiawhich is also facing a drought situation and has no surplus to export to Ecuador.

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Thus, the electricity cuts began on Sunday, April 14, without prior notice from the Government, which then denounced twenty-two people for alleged sabotage, including the former Minister of Energy and Mines. Andrea Arrobothat two days before the start of the blackouts had ruled out that this measure would take place in the short term.

According to the Government’s complaint, there was an alleged concealment of information by those responsible for the electricity sector, which would have prevented measures from being taken sooner to mitigate the crisis.

In this sense, this Wednesday it was presented at the National Assembly (Parliament) impeachment request against Arrobo, promoted by political groups Ramp up It is Christian Social Party (PSC).

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.