Due to maintenance on the Cruz Verde reserve tank, the potable water service in Cuenca has been temporarily interrupted.

To address this, ETAPA EP, the municipal water utility company, has organized a distribution plan to ensure water reaches affected neighborhoods.

When and Where

The contingency plan begins Wednesday, January 15, and continues through Thursday, January 16, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM.

The following areas will experience water disruptions:

• Unidad Educativa Técnico Salesiano

• Universidad del Azuay

• ECU-911 Austro

• Parque de la Madre

• Unidad Educativa La Salle

• Complejo Deportivo La Gloria

• Central Campus of Universidad de Cuenca

Water will be distributed through several methods:

1. Water Pools for Refilling

With the support of the Cuenca Fire Department, water will be available at these locations starting at 10:00 AM:

• Fire Station #3: Av. 27 de Febrero and Roberto Crespo Toral

• Parque Iberia

• ECU 911 Headquarters

• Parque La Paz

2. Tanker Truck Deliveries

Water will also be delivered by fire department and ETAPA tanker trucks in two scheduled rounds. These deliveries are prioritized for:

• Monte Sinai Hospital

• Santa Ana Clinic

• Military Hospital

• Paucarbamba Clinic

• San Juan de Dios Hospital

• Metropolitan Surgical Center

• UNIREAS Dialysis Clinic

• Santa Inés Clinic

• University of Cuenca

3. Fixed Water Supply Point

A fixed distribution point will be available at Parque Urano, starting at 10:00 AM.

Cuenca's water utility company, ETAPA EP, has announced that water service will be disrupted in seven areas of the city on Wednesday, January 15, and Thursday, January 16, 2025.

The outage will affect hundreds of families, schools, hospitals, and businesses that rely on the Cruz Verde Reserve Center for their water supply. This interruption is necessary for maintenance of the potable water tank and installation of control accessories, as confirmed by the company on January 3.

Affected Areas

The following areas and institutions will experience water disruptions:

• Unidad Educativa Técnico Salesiano

• Universidad del Azuay

• ECU-911 Austro

• Parque de la Madre

• Unidad Educativa La Salle

• Complejo Deportivo La Gloria

• Central Campus of Universidad de Cuenca

Revised Schedule and Contingency Plan

Initially, the interruption was planned for Tuesday, January 14. However, due to the large area affected, the schedule has been adjusted to Wednesday and Thursday. Some interruptions may persist into Friday, January 17.

To minimize the impact, ETAPA EP will deploy water tankers to supply affected areas, with priority given to public and private healthcare facilities.

Ecuador has endured a severe energy crisis, with power outages lasting up to 14 hours a day over the past four months. While power cuts for residential consumers ceased on December 20, the industrial sector will see relief starting January 1. However, experts claim that the underlying issues remain unresolved, posing a significant challenge for the next government, which will take office in May after the February elections.

The Root of the Crisis: Infrastructure and Higher Demand

Ecuador’s daily energy demand of 4,500 megawatts relies heavily on hydroelectric plants. Severe droughts, like the one experienced this year, drastically reduce energy production. Experts highlight that outdated infrastructure and lack of maintenance have compounded the crisis.

• Veronica Íñiguez, a professor at the Technical University of Loja, stresses the need for immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions. She advocates upgrading the thermal power sector, which currently serves as the only backup during such shortages.

• Santiago Ribadeneira, former manager of Hidroagoyán, emphasizes the urgency of completing abandoned projects. He suggests adding 1,500 megawatts of thermal power using steam and 2,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power, alongside an annual average of 400 megawatts from new projects. Each project would take around five years to implement.

A Systemic Issue, Not Just a Drought

Meteorological data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service reveals a decline in rainfall in southern Ecuador since 2019, affecting the Paute hydroelectric plant. While government officials blame the worst drought in 60 years, experts argue the problem runs deeper, pointing to systemic flaws and neglected maintenance.

Private Sector Involvement: A Key to Long-Term Stability

Many experts advocate for ending Ecuador’s state monopoly on electricity generation to encourage private sector participation. Recent regulatory updates increased the cap on private energy generation from 10 megawatts to 100 megawatts. Substantial legal and fiscal reforms are needed to attract meaningful investment.

Jaime Carrera, president of the Fiscal Policy Observatory, highlights that fostering investor confidence requires a legal framework that ensures fair returns. Without these changes, energy solutions will remain a medium- to long-term goal.

What’s Next?

Expect new scheduled blackouts in at least 2025 while the new government has to take immediate fixes, structural reforms, and substantial investments. 

Source: The Milford Mirror.

Since September 23, 2024, Ecuador has been experiencing its worst power crisis in 15 years, with daily blackouts lasting up to 14 hours. President Daniel Noboa has promised that the outages will end by December 2024, but no exact date has been given. Experts, however, warn that the country could face similar issues in 2025 and beyond, due to structural problems in the power sector. Here's what you need to know:

The Current Situation

- Energy Shortage: Ecuador is currently 1,500 megawatts short of meeting its energy needs, despite receiving additional power from Colombia since mid-November.

- Hydropower Dependency: Ecuador relies heavily on hydroelectric power, which accounts for 69% of its energy capacity. Severe droughts since August 2024 have cut this supply drastically.

- Thermal Plants Struggle: Thermal plants, which should compensate during droughts, are underperforming due to old infrastructure and lack of maintenance.

Why Are Blackouts Happening?

1. Unfulfilled Energy Expansion: Over the past decade, Ecuador needed an additional 1,951 megawatts of capacity to match growing demand, but investments were insufficient.

2. Drought: The current drought has halved hydroelectric output. For instance, Paute-Integral, the largest hydro complex, is operating at only 15% capacity.

3. Aging Infrastructure: Both hydro and thermal plants are outdated, and technical failures are common.

Government’s Efforts

- The government has recovered 479 megawatts from thermal plants in the past six months.

- Plans are in place to add 7,400 megawatts of capacity by 2032, but experts say this is overly ambitious.

What to Expect?

- Daily Blackouts: The outages are expected to continue until December 2024.

- Future Vulnerabilities: Climate change may bring longer, more severe droughts, potentially causing recurring crises unless significant reforms are made.

Recommendations

- Prepare for Extended Outages: Stock up on flashlights, power banks, and non-perishable food.

- Plan for Unpredictability: Power cuts may last longer than expected or occur outside scheduled times.

- Stay Updated: Follow reliable local sources for blackout schedules and updates.

Source: Primicias.

The Tomebamba and Machángara rivers have recovered their water levels. Their conditions are normal now. The Yanuncay and Tarqui rivers remain at low levels.

Today marks the 139th day of the hydrological drought, with a 74% chance of rain during the day and a 50% chance at night.

Despite recent rains, Cuenca continues to face hydrological drought with low river flows. The rains of November 19 and 22 did not significantly improve the flow of the city's four main rivers.

As of Saturday, November 23, 2024, Cuenca had experienced 134 days of hydrological drought, meaning there had been no significant rainfall. On this date, all four main rivers were at drought levels. For example, the Tomebamba River had a flow of just 0.60 cubic meters per second (m³/s), while the normal flow is 6.5 m³/s. Similarly, the Yanuncay River had 1.09 m³/s, compared to a normal 6 m³/s, and the Tarqui and Machángara rivers had similarly low flows.

Rainfall data from November 22 showed relatively low amounts of precipitation, with some areas receiving as little as 0.1 mm, and the highest rainfall was recorded in Ricaurte with 16.7 mm.

Civil engineer and hydrology expert Ernesto Martínez explained that these rainfall amounts are far from sufficient to overcome the drought. For the drought to end, Cuenca needs at least 10 to 15 days of continuous rainfall, each day bringing between 10 and 15 mm of rain. He pointed out that the rains are currently too localized, mainly in the northern parts of the city, which lack the necessary water recharge areas to sustain river flows.

According to Rigoberto Guerrero from the Hydrometeorological Network of ETAPA EP, the required continuous rainfall will be necessary to restore water supplies and address the drought. ETAPA EP has a protocol that includes suspending potable water supply if river flow drops below 20% of the usual capacity.

In response, ETAPA EP has launched a campaign urging the public to limit water use to essential human consumption and report any misuse of water. Some local water administration boards have already started implementing water cuts due to the significant drop in river flow.

The Junta de Agua Potable de Baños will start water rationing on November 20, 2024. When you live in Baños proper or other areas served by this water company (for example Narancay and Control Sur) you won’t have water from approximately 5 am to 9 am and from approximately 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. 

Several neighborhoods are without ETAPA internet this morning. ETAPA is trying to find out what's going on.

Ecuador faced widespread confusion and frustration on Monday, September 23, 2024, as scheduled power outages were delayed, leaving citizens in the dark—literally and figuratively.

What Happened?

While electric companies had initially announced that the outages would start at 6:00 a.m., blackouts didn't begin until after 8:00 a.m. in many areas, including major cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca. The government of President Daniel Noboa had warned that power outages would last from Monday, September 23 to Sunday, September 29, due to Ecuador's ongoing electricity crisis.

Late Start Causes Confusion

Schedules for the blackouts were released around midnight on Sunday, but when the power didn't cut off as expected early Monday morning, citizens took to social media to express their confusion and dissatisfaction. The first outages were supposed to begin at 6:00 a.m., but many didn’t experience blackouts until hours later.

Reasons for the Delay

Centrosur, the electric company that serves the Austro region, explained that the delays were due to improved energy conditions. They stated that the National Electricity Operator Cenace ordered outages to start at 7:00 a.m. instead of the originally planned time.

According to Centrosur, the disconnections are being executed under Cenace's orders, and while the first phase of outages was delayed, the rest of the day’s schedule remained in effect unless Cenace issued further changes.

Government Response

Inés Manzano, Ecuador's Minister of Environment and the head of the National Emergency Operations Committee (COE), took responsibility for the late release of the outage schedules. In an interview with Ecuavisa, she apologized, saying, "I will publicly apologize for releasing the information so late. I take responsibility for that."

Manzano explained that the delay in announcing the schedules led to electric distributors postponing the start of the blackouts on Monday morning.

Blackouts Begin

Despite the delays, reports began coming in from citizens after 8:00 a.m. that power outages had started across several cities, with disruptions continuing as the day progressed.

As the outages continue for the rest of the week, citizens are advised to keep an eye on updated schedules and announcements from their local electric companies.

Ecuador is bracing for more intense blackouts in October as the country faces a worsening energy crisis. The combination of drought conditions affecting hydroelectric plants and Colombia cutting its electricity exports is putting further strain on Ecuador's power supply.

Hydroelectric Dependency

Ecuador relies on hydroelectric plants for 70% of its electricity, according to Diego Gordón, Executive Director of Britcham UIO. However, these plants are heavily dependent on rainfall to maintain river flows. The country is now experiencing its worst dry season in 61 years, with river levels, particularly in Cuenca, dangerously low. The situation is dire, as the Tomebamba, Yanuncay, and Tarqui rivers have become so shallow that people can walk across them.

The Mazar dam, Ecuador’s largest reservoir, is nearing its minimum operational level. As of September 18, it was just six meters above that threshold, and if it drops further, the Mazar, Molino, and Sopladora hydroelectric plants—which generate 38% of the country's electricity—will be forced to shut down.

Early Dry Season

Energy expert Ricardo Buitrón notes that while the dry season typically begins in October, it started early this year in August. The Mazar dam is designed to accumulate water during the rainy season to supply power during the dry months, but with reduced rainfall, this strategy is now at risk. If Mazar’s water levels continue to fall, the energy shortfall will worsen, leading to more frequent and severe blackouts.

Cloud Seeding Efforts

In an effort to induce rain, the government has considered cloud seeding, a technique that involves releasing silver iodide into clouds to stimulate precipitation. However, Fernando Salinas, another energy analyst, points out that this method requires cloud cover, which has been limited due to high temperatures and intense UV radiation.

Colombia Reducing Energy Exports

To make up for the domestic energy shortfall, Ecuador has been importing electricity from Colombia, which can supply up to 450 megawatts. However, Colombia has also been affected by drought and energy constraints, reducing its exports to as low as 369 megawatts. If Colombia continues to limit its energy supply to Ecuador, the power crisis will deepen.

Energy Minister Antonio Goncalves warned that the government’s contingency measures will not fully come into effect until November and December, when additional barges and land-based generators are expected to become operational.

Short-Term Solutions

The government has declared an emergency and contracted 928 megawatts of additional energy, including 340 megawatts from barges and 588 megawatts from land-based generators. One barge is already supplying 100 megawatts, and efforts are underway to increase output at Termogas Machala, boosting production from 991 megawatts to 1,591 megawatts. Negotiations with private companies to use their energy generation facilities are also ongoing.

Despite these efforts, Ecuador faces a critical period in October, with more frequent and longer-lasting blackouts likely if rain doesn’t come and Colombia further limits its energy exports.

A water supply interruption is affecting Cuenca after a pipe burst on De las Américas Avenue and Doce de Abril Avenue. To address the issue, ETAPA EP has arranged for water to be distributed through tanker trucks in various areas of the city.

The disruption is the result of a 315-mm distribution pipe breaking at the underpass near the intersection of 12 de Abril and De las Américas avenues. The damage occurred early Monday, September 16, 2024, when a truck exceeded the maximum height limit for that route.

Water Distribution Schedule

Starting at 8:45 AM, water is being provided near Clínica Humanitaria in Feria Libre, where it will be available throughout the day.

- A second tanker will distribute water from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Coliseo Mayor Jefferson Pérez.

- From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the tanker will serve Parque del Ángel.

- From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, water will be available at Puertas del Sol park.

Residents in need of water can also call 188 to arrange for a delivery.

Affected Areas

The following locations are impacted by the water outage:

- Balzay Campus, University of Cuenca

- Puertas del Sol

- Feria Libre

- El Batán Shopping Center

- Coliseo Mayor Jefferson Pérez

- República del Ecuador Educational Center

- Clínica Humanitaria

- Clínica Latinoamericana

- Parque El Ángel

- Parque El Quetzal

- Hotel Oro Verde

The water supply is expected to be restored after 6:00 PM.

Ecuador will experience a nationwide power outage from 10:00 PM on September 18 to 6:00 AM on September 19, 2024, due to maintenance on four key substations. This preventive measure aims to address the country's ongoing energy crisis, with work being done on primary equipment and transformers in locations such as Macas, Santa Elena, Milagro, and Molino.

According to the newspaper El Mercurio, the province of Azuay has been without intense rains for 19 days, resulting in a decrease in electricity generation at hydroelectric plants in the province. These plants produce the majority of the energy demanded in Ecuador. Therefore, the risk of new outages cannot be ruled out.

There are four hydroelectric plants in the province. Three of them are fed by the Paute River:

- Mazar

- Paute – Molino

- Sopladora

These plants are located east of Cuenca.

The Minas – San Francisco hydroelectric plant is fed by the Jubones River. This plant is located south of Santa Isabel along the road from Cuenca to Machala.

In the article, Fabián Montaleza, an environmental engineer and former advisor to the Association of Municipalities of Ecuador (AME), explained that the dry season was forecasted to begin in September but started earlier. That is why the National Energy Corporation (CENACE) is implementing a plan to keep the reservoirs of Mazar, Paute – Molino, and Sopladora in optimal conditions to ensure the energy supply. In June of this year, these three plants produced 36.1% of the country's hydroelectric energy, but their production dropped by nearly 17% due to the lack of rainfall. Montaleza pointed out that this drought is likely to extend until November, so he urged the population to save water and take precautions in case of “blackouts.”

The low level of the rivers is also visible in Cuenca. All four rivers in Cuenca eventually feed the Paute River. According to Rigoberto Guerrero from ETAPA EP, the city has experienced light “showers,” but these are not enough to recharge the river levels. In 2023, Cuenca experienced a 118-day drought, which ended in December 2023. There were no water supply cuts, thanks to ETAPA EP's precautions.

Ecuador is going through an energy crisis that has triggered scheduled power outages of up to 11 hours since mid-April. In a press conference on Tuesday, May 14, the Minister of Energy, Roberto Luque, announced that the Scheduled power outages are suspended until Sunday, May 26, 2024. 

This period includes the holiday on Friday, May 24, when the Battle of Pichincha is commemorated.

The suspension of scheduled power outages is possible because of favorable weather conditions. No energy has been imported from Colombia since Monday, May 13.

Blackouts are still possible

The minister recalled that unscheduled blackouts are still possible due to problems at the Coca Codo Sinclair plant.

Power outages are also still possible due to maintenance work. This can be especially the case in the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Sucumbíos and Manabí. Disconnections can also happen in sectors of the cities of Durán, Lago Agrio and Portoviejo. The minister promised that these outages would be communicated at least 24 hours in advance.

The Minister of Energy, Andrea Arrobo, announced on Monday, December 4, 2023, that the scheduled power cuts in Ecuador would be suspended from December 15. The suspension of energy rationing is related to the Christmas and New Year festivities. “We understand that this is a crucial period during which blackouts should be avoided. We plan to suspend them for this duration through careful planning and effective management of water reserves,” said the Minister.

The duration of the suspension is currently unknown. The Minister emphasized that the more conscientious citizens are about the restricted use of electrical energy, the longer the period of blackout suspension can be extended until the rainy season returns.

Ecuador is currently grappling with an energy crisis due to low water levels, preventing power plants from generating sufficient electricity. As an emergency measure, planned power cuts are in effect. On average, these outages last two hours per day for each electricity connection.