Despite temporary shutdowns of key hydroelectric plants, government reassures citizens, but experts warn of system vulnerabilities.

On July 3, 2025, the Ministry of Energy announced that eight of Ecuador’s crucial hydroelectric plants were temporarily shut down due to adverse river conditions, triggered by heavy rains in the Amazon region. These plants together contribute approximately 1,200 MW, which accounts for 31% of Ecuador’s total electricity demand. The affected plants include Coca Codo Sinclair, San Francisco, La Victoria, Carlos Mora Carrión, Sabanilla, Alazán, Río Verde Chico, and Delsitanisagua. The largest of these, Coca Codo Sinclair, alone supplies nearly 750 MW.

The shutdowns, while significant, were necessary to prevent potential damage to the plants’ turbines. According to Acting Energy Minister Guillermo Ferreira, the heavy rains caused excessive movement of sand and stones in the rivers that feed these plants. Without proper reservoirs, these hydroelectric plants rely on clean river water to generate electricity. The suspension, therefore, is a preventative measure to avoid the ingress of debris into the intake channels that could damage critical equipment.

Government reassures public about energy supply

In a press conference on July 3rd, Ferreira reassured the public that there would be no power outages despite the loss of significant hydroelectric capacity. The government has planned for such contingencies by relying on thermal plants to cover the shortfall. Additionally, private companies, including large industrial consumers like steel manufacturers, have been asked to support the national grid by generating their own power. Ferreira mentioned that two or three companies had already started providing this support, helping to stabilize the grid.

“The government has been in contact with large consumers to ensure they can generate their own electricity in these times of need,” Ferreira stated. “We’re confident that we will be able to meet the energy demand through thermoelectric generation and private self-generation, and there will be no rationing at this point.”

Despite these reassurances, the acting minister acknowledged that the shutdowns were an inconvenience and emphasized that the government was working to resume operations at the affected plants as soon as river conditions improve. “We are preserving the assets,” he said, referring to the hydroelectric plants.

Experts raise concerns over the country’s energy infrastructure

While the government’s response appears to have prevented immediate disruptions to electricity supply, experts are raising alarms about the underlying vulnerability of the country’s energy system. Electrical consultant Ricardo Buitrón criticized the country’s continued reliance on imported electricity and thermoelectric plants. Buitrón explained that the temporary shutdowns highlighted Ecuador’s lack of an adequate reserve of thermoelectric capacity, forcing the government to turn to costly alternatives like imported power and expensive thermal generation.

“The fact that we had to import electricity from Colombia for a few hours on July 3rd shows how fragile the system is,” said Buitrón. “When a country has to rely on outside sources for electricity, it is clear that it doesn’t have the necessary reserves in place to handle unexpected situations like these.”

Ecuador’s total thermal generation capacity stands at approximately 2,062 MW, but not all of this is available at any given time due to aging infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, and equipment malfunctions. For example, only around 1,000 MW of thermal power was operational on July 2, 2025, including about 200-300 MW from floating power barges. These temporary measures, while effective in the short term, only serve to underscore the growing concerns about the reliability of the country’s energy grid.

The impact of limited thermal capacity on the energy system

The government’s efforts to address energy demand during the hydroelectric shutdowns are hampered by the limited capacity of Ecuador’s thermal plants. Although the government has made efforts to improve and maintain the thermal power plants, much of the country’s thermal capacity remains unreliable. The plants, which should be able to cover for the loss of hydroelectric generation, are often offline due to maintenance or operational inefficiencies.

Buitrón noted that the country’s thermal reserves are insufficient to deal with scenarios where hydroelectric generation is reduced or unavailable. “When you rely on thermal power as a backup, you need to ensure that those plants are capable of stepping in when needed,” he explained. “But what we’re seeing is that our thermal plants are far from reliable, and that makes the system vulnerable.”

Gabriel Secaira, another electrical consultant, echoed these concerns, stressing that Ecuador’s energy system lacks the necessary backup capacity to handle significant energy deficits. Secaira pointed out that, in an ideal scenario, Ecuador should have 10% of its peak demand in reserve, which would be around 390 MW. However, the country’s current energy infrastructure doesn’t meet this basic requirement.

“What we are seeing in recent days is evidence that Ecuador’s energy system does not have sufficient backup energy. In a country like this, which is highly dependent on hydroelectric generation, it’s critical to have backup thermal power available at all times,” Secaira said. “The absence of this backup is a major red flag for the future, especially as we enter the dry season, when hydropower generation typically drops.”

Looking forward: urgent need for energy reforms

The current energy crisis highlights the urgent need for significant reforms and investments in Ecuador’s power generation infrastructure. While the government is working to recover and modernize its thermal plants, experts warn that the system remains vulnerable, especially as the country faces the potential for more severe energy shortages in the future.

As Ecuador’s hydroelectric plants gradually resume operations, attention will turn to the long-term viability of the country’s energy strategy. While hydropower remains the primary source of electricity, the shutdown of these plants serves as a reminder of the risks associated with over-reliance on one source of energy.

“The government has to make strategic investments in upgrading both its hydroelectric and thermal infrastructure to ensure we don’t face these types of problems in the future,” said Buitrón. “We can’t keep relying on short-term fixes, like imports or private sector help, when the system is so fragile.”

In the meantime, the government will continue to monitor the situation closely and is prepared to take further action to ensure the country’s energy needs are met. However, the shutdowns have left a clear message: Ecuador’s energy system is in need of significant reform to ensure its resilience in the face of future challenges.