The Ecuadorian government has announced nationwide power outages during the nights of September 23, 24, 25, and 26, 2024, in response to what it calls the worst dry season the country has faced in the last 61 years.

In an official statement on the Presidency’s X (formerly Twitter) account, the government explained that the blackouts will occur from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The schedule was chosen to minimize disruption to productivity and workday activities.

President Daniel Noboa’s administration has also implemented remote work for public sector employees on Thursday and Friday, September 19, 20, 26, and 27.

The government is taking additional steps to address the crisis, including deploying a power-generating ship, setting up permanent land generators, creating regulations for natural gas imports, and improving abandoned energy infrastructure.

This decision comes less than 48 hours before the first blackout, set to begin on Wednesday, September 18, from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 19.

Source: Primicias.

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.

In most homes in the Salinas region, people need gas to heat water and to cook. Cities and villages in the Salinas region have no gas pipelines to deliver (natural) gas. Modern condominium buildings have central gas systems, but if you are not living in such a building, you will need to buy gas cylinders.

Buying gas cylinders

Before buying a gas cylinder filled with gas, you need to be sure that you have an empty gas cylinder to give to the gas vendor. You can get empty gas cylinders at Hipermarket in La Libertad and Ferrisariato in Ballenita. An empty gas cylinder usually costs between $45 and $55. You can also get gas cylinders from gas vendors, but they ask for a higher price.

The easiest way is to buy a full gas cylinder from a gas distribution truck. The vendor will ask $3 if you return an empty gas cylinder. When no gas distribution trucks are not showing up, you can call one. There are many gas distribution companies with trucks.

Most cities also have several distribution points for consumers. Here you can buy gas cylinders for $1.66 if you return an empty gas cylinder. By law, these gas vendors cannot ask for higher prices. The difference with the price when buying from a gas distribution truck is a service fee.

Recommendations

• Have a reserve gas cylinder in case a gas cylinder runs out.
• Many modern condominium buildings have central gas systems. If you don’t want to worry about gas cylinders, you may choose a home in such a building.
• The colors of gas cylinders vary by region. Sell your gas cylinders when moving to a region with different gas cylinder colors.

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.