One year after historic outages, Noboa’s administration says electricity supply is secure and stable.

One year after the crisis

September marks a year since Ecuador faced some of the worst power blackouts in decades, when low reservoir levels and poor planning forced the country into prolonged outages. This year, the government of President Daniel Noboa says the situation is completely different, pointing to full reservoirs and improved management of the electricity sector.

Presidential spokeswoman Carolina Jaramillo stressed that despite predictions of blackouts in April and again in June, the forecasts never materialized. “We’ve been plagued by predictions that power would fail, but that hasn’t happened, and it won’t,” she said, underlining that current water storage levels and system maintenance give confidence for the months ahead.

Mazar reservoir reaches peak levels

Data from the Corporación Eléctrica de Ecuador (CELEC) shows that the Mazar reservoir, one of the country’s main sources of hydroelectric supply, was approaching its maximum capacity of 2,153 meters above sea level as of September 8th. Jaramillo said these conditions not only guarantee electricity supply but also allow the government to carry out planned maintenance at thermoelectric plants without risking shortages.

According to CELEC, reservoir management has been one of the key differences from 2024, when poor hydrological conditions and delays in maintenance left the country vulnerable. With water flow stabilized, authorities insist Ecuador is in a stronger position to prevent a repeat of last year’s blackouts.

Investigation into failed power projects

The government is also moving forward with legal action against Progen, a U.S. company contracted to supply emergency generation capacity. Progen had agreed to deliver two power plants — one in Quevedo with a capacity of 50 megawatts and another in El Salitral with 100 megawatts — but failed to meet its obligations.

An audit report on the Quevedo plant has already been delivered to the Attorney General’s Office, while the report on the El Salitral engines is expected by December 10th. Jaramillo said both documents remain confidential while the investigation is ongoing. The government has accused Progen of fraud and is seeking accountability for the undelivered projects that left Ecuador exposed during last year’s crisis.

Confidence in the coming months

Officials maintain that the combination of high reservoir levels, preventive planning, and ongoing investigations into past failures ensures that Ecuador will not face the same difficulties again. Jaramillo emphasized that Noboa’s administration has stabilized the electricity system in time for the dry season, restoring public confidence in the country’s energy supply.