QUITO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced Friday that Colombia has resumed electricity exports to Ecuador, whose power system is under strain amid dry conditions.
In a post on X, Noboa thanked Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella for resuming electricity exports and underscored cooperation between the two countries.
Colombia suspended commercial electricity exports to Ecuador in recent weeks amid concerns that the intensifying El Niño phenomenon could increase the risk of domestic power shortages.
The resumption of electricity supplies will help ease pressure on Ecuador's power system, which has been strained by reduced river flows feeding its hydropower plants. A lack of rainfall in southern Ecuador has caused drought conditions, affecting reservoir levels at the Paute Hydroelectric Complex, which supplies about 35 percent of the electricity fed into Ecuador's national interconnected system.
The power interconnection with Colombia can cover about 10 percent of Ecuador's peak demand, providing a backup when hydropower generation is low.
While the government has ruled out power cuts for households, industries connected to medium- and high-voltage networks face up to 72 hours of power cuts per week as authorities seek to ease pressure on the system. The measure has drawn opposition from business groups over concerns about its potential impact on economic activity and employment.
In 2024, Ecuador experienced an unprecedented energy crisis, resulting in power outages of up to 14 hours a day. ■
