2024-07-10 17:00:40
The truth is that in recent months, the country has not had the enough generation to cover the energy demandand has not made any efforts to expand the sources of generation, according to energy analyst José Alvear. This, although projections indicate that, every yearhe requirement increases in 400 megawatts (MW).
How does power generation work in Ecuador?
José Alvear, explains that the national energy system, also known as Energy Matrixrevolves around three pillars: generation, transmission y distribution.
Regarding the first, daily, Ecuador produces and consumes approximately 4,700 MW per dayas stated by the National Energy Operator (Cenace) in June 2024.
Of this figure, the 90% comes from hydroelectric generationThe country’s water resources are used in seven large power plants and other smaller ones, where the power of water is harnessed to generate energy. These are:
- Coca Elbow Sinclair
- Molino
- Blower
- Mazar
- Agoyán – San Francisco
- San Francisco Mines
- Delsitanisagu
- Other minor hydroelectric plants
The remaining percentage is generated from thermoelectric sourceswhich according to Alvear, are large engines that operate on fuels: diesel, gasoline or gas.
There is also the wind powerwhich uses the wind, and the photovoltaicwhich takes advantage of sunlight. These two are complementary optionsthe specialist points out, since they cannot be considered as part of the energy matrix due to the low capacity they offer.
In the case of the photovoltaic energylithium panels are used which are highly polluting. In addition, with an installed capacity of 100%, they barely produce 20% of energy.
In the case of the windto its full capacity, 40% works and it also affects the environment, because the blades scare away birds and other animals in the area.
The next element is the transmission which, according to Alvear, “is the delivery of energy through huge cables (transmission lines) that reach the electric companies.” Once there, the next pillar comes in: the distributionwhich is nothing more than the service offered by electric companies so that energy reaches homes, commercial establishments, industries, among others.
When there is no power?
Roberto Luque, Minister of Energy (e), explained that power outages occur when the Demand exceeds supply (generation) that can cover the country. And he established four reasons:
By sediments
They occur when there are heavy rainsThey drag stones, branches, animals and other waste along with them. Santos explains that hydroelectric plants have “shields” that prevent this waste from passing into the turbines, but due to the large amount of water, these cannot cope and it is better to suspend the operation to avoid damage to the generation system.
Learn the details:
Due to lack of generation
These occur when the conditions for generating energy do not exist, especially in dry season (lack of rain). Hydroelectric plants do not have enough water power to operate the turbines.
According to the Ministry of Energy, these are suspended for the moment, but could occur again in the coming months. low water season; that is, between September and November 2024.
For maintenance
They are scheduled cuts that respond to work planned maintenance throughout the year. These are carried out by zones, depending on the planning of each distribution company.
National blackout
They refer to a total blackout, on a national scale, such as the one that occurred on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. According to the Ministry of Energy, the probability of such an event happening again is 1%.
José Alvear explains what a blackout is and why it happened:
What is the solution?
Currently, Ecuador does not have its own generation that would allow it to supply production in the event that a hydroelectric plant ceases to operate. Even less so if this occurs in Coca Elbow Sinclairwhich generates more than 20% of the energy that the country needs.
The Government has indicated that it is necessary to have emerging generation mechanismsin addition to the purchase made from Colombia, and for this purpose the hiring of bargesThey are plants installed on a ship, which generate energy from fossil sources and send it to the country through large cables to land.
These can run on diesel, natural gas or fuel oil, although the latter is the least used because it is highly polluting.
The energy specialist believes that Ecuador needs to migrate towards a system that offers firm power and energy; that is, to an option that does not depend on climatic factors. And, that would be achieved with the gas natural.
It is a cheapest optionenvironmentally friendly, which is already used in other Latin American countries, such as Chile and Colombia.
While this is being finalized, the country continues to face blackoutsAuthorities said a new dry period will begin in September this year and may affect generation at the four largest hydroelectric plants: Coca Codo Sinclair, Mill, Blower and Mazar.
By: Ecuavisa