Latest news Energy crisis in Ecuador: power cuts for 14 hours a day

The extreme drought and falling river levels are exacerbating the energy crisis in Ecuador. Energy Minister Inés Manzano announced that electricity in the South American country would be further rationed at the weekend and cut off for 14 hours a day. So far, the planned power cuts have lasted eight hours a day.

Due to the drought, historic lows are being recorded in the country's reservoirs. Ecuador generates 78 percent of its electricity from hydropower. In addition, there has been no investment in the country's power grid for a long time. Large parts of South America are currently suffering from one of the worst droughts in recent history. According to scientists, the reason for this is the weather phenomenon El Niño. Climate change is also warming the northern tropical Atlantic, which is further extending the dry period.

SDA