The government is exploring the potential of Ecuador's 22 active volcanoes to diversify power generation and reduce dependence on hydroelectric plants. Amid the electricity sector emergency declared by the government on August 15, 2024, and the plans to acquire 750...
Research conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has revealed that marmoset monkeys engage in name-calling behavior, a trait previously observed only in humans, dolphins, and African elephants. Naming others is considered a sign of highly advanced cognition in...
The fires have resulted in the loss of 18,332.58 hectares of vegetation cover. Forest fires have been reported in Loja, Quito, and Guayaquil in recent days, sparking significant concern. The largest of these fires occurred in the Quilanga area of Loja, where more than...
This week, I want to lay out my thoughts on the energy crisis and how it will worsen with the closure of the Yasuní-ITT oil fields. Let’s be clear: these are two separate issues—at least for now. Currently, most of our energy problems stem from the country’s reliance on electricity generated by hydroelectric plants. For […]
Drug violence is increasingly disrupting scientific research in Ecuador, forcing scientists to avoid certain regions due to safety concerns. Biologist César Garzón was in pursuit of a small, endangered parrot in Ecuador when a threat to his life forced him to abandon...
In the last decade, Ecuador’s energy consumption grew dramatically, with transportation and fossil fuels—gasoline and diesel fuel—dominating demand. From 2013 to 2023, Ecuador’s energy demand surged by 18.3%, increasing from 86.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) to 102 million BOE. This rise encompasses the consumption of hydrocarbons, electricity, firewood, sugarcane production, and non-energy products. […]
The process was launched by mandate of a popular consultation. In 2024, the plan is to close 10 wells, with 48 wells to be shut down annually from 2025 to 2028, and the remaining 44 wells scheduled for closure in 2029. Operations in Block 43-ITT (Ishpingo, Tambococha, Tiputini) began in 2016 after the failure of […]
A judge’s order to reopen three closed impeachment proceedings could intensify the ongoing dispute with the government. Several legislators are expected to seek re-election. The National Assembly is back in session after its legislative recess, focusing on disputes, impeachments, occasional bills, and the upcoming 2025 general elections. The recess was not free of controversy and […]
The Turkish company Karpowership faces fines for missing deadlines Problems with the anchoring of the Powership Emre Bey barge at Las Esclusas, south of Guayaquil, could result in Karpowership facing up to three types of fines, including one per thousand (1×1,000) of its commitments per day of delay, and even a percentage of the power […]
Ecuador is facing one of the most challenging environmental and logistical tasks in its history: the complete shutdown of the ITT oil field, the country’s largest oil production site. This monumental endeavor of shutting down the ITT oil field involves not only taking down 247 operating wells but also dismantling approximately 6,000 assets, including an […]
The Waorani people have submitted a document to the Constitutional Court outlining guidelines for the closure of the oil field. One of the immediate measures proposed is to shut down all the wells. A year after the announcement of the August 2023 popular consultation results, in which it was decided to leave the Yasuní crude […]