2009 Ecuador electricity crisis

Shopping by candlelight in a Cuenca market during a power cut, November 24, 2009

The 2009 Ecuador electricity crisis was caused by a severe drought that depleted water levels at hydroelectric plants. Ecuador experienced rolling blackouts for two to six hours per day that lasted from November 2009 until January 2010.

Background[]

The electricity crisis arose from Ecuador's worst drought in 40 years, which began in September 2009.^[1]^[2] Government experts attributed the drought to the El Nino phenomenon.^[2] Because of the drought, water levels at the Paute River dam—which normally supplies 40% of Ecuador's power—were extremely low.^[1] The reservoir's water level is normally 1,991 meters above sea level, but on November 10 was only 1,968 meters above sea level.^[1] The minimum level is 1,965 meters.^[1] As of November 11, only two of the dam's 10 turbines were functioning.^[1] Normally, the dam can supply up to 1,000 megawatts (MW), but the dam's output was only 200 MW on this day.^[1]

Left: View of Calle Larga, Cuenca, at 6:33 pm. On this day, the scheduled blackout occurred earlier in the day. Right: View of Calle Larga, Cuenca, at 7:04 pm. On this day, there was a scheduled blackout from 7-10 pm.

Effects[]

Beginning November 5, rolling blackouts took place across Ecuador for two to six hours per day.^[3] Government officials also urged citizens to conserve energy.^[1] Economic losses from the blackouts are estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars; factory output slowed, and storage of perishables was disrupted.^[2]

On November 6, the government declared an emergency in the power sector, which was expected to "allow the Finance Ministry to seek to guarantee fuel imports for thermoelectric plants".^[3] The government also agreed to purchase additional electricity from Peru and Colombia.^[4] Government officials aimed to end power rationing before Christmas.^[4]

The power crisis led to criticism of the Correa administration's management of the power sector as water levels of the reservoirs became depleted.^[2]

In mid-January 2010, the blackouts were "suspended indefinitely",^[5] following increased water levels and the acquisition of several generators. In February, Ecuador stopped the import of electricity from Colombia and Peru.^{[citation needed]}

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g “Drought Blamed for Blackouts in Ecuador”. Latin American Herald Tribune (November 11, 2009).
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d “Ecuador energy crisis cripples production, disrupts cities”. United Press International (November 17, 2009).
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Mercedes Alvaro. “Ecuador Negotiates Emergency Electricity Imports With Peru”. The Wall Street Journal (November 9, 2009).
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b “Ecuador Aims to End Power Rationing Before Christmas”. Latin American Herald Tribune (November 17, 2009).
^ http://www.bnamericas.com/news/electricpower/Government_suspends_rationing_indefinitely

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