2024-10-06 13:27:59
Energy security expert Jorge Luis Hidalgo addressed the current challenges facing Ecuador in electrical matters, highlighting the persistence of blackouts despite recent rains and the impact on one of the country’s main hydroelectric plants, Coca Sincler.
Hidalgo pointed out that the country’s energy situation is not simply a problem of the rainy season or ministerial management, but a structural crisis derived from the lack of investment in new infrastructure and diversification of energy sources. «The Ecuadorian energy system, both electrical and energy in general, is extremely vulnerable. Any disturbance, such as increased sediment due to rain, seriously affects our turbines and generation capacity,” explained Hidalgo.
During the interview, Hidalgo also criticized the management of subsidies and tariffs in the energy sector, pointing out that large mining companies pay only five cents per kilowatt-hour, while the cost for residential consumers is significantly higher and does not guarantee a stable supply. . “We are subsidizing the consumption of imported diesel and buying electricity at exorbitant prices from neighboring countries, while our hydroelectric plants face chronic maintenance problems,” he added.
Furthermore, the expert emphasized the urgent need for greater collection and transparency in the management of resources for the energy sector. “The country needs decisive investment in energy infrastructure and a clear policy that prioritizes sustainability and security of supply,” said Hidalgo.
The interview concluded with a call for the authorities to assume shared responsibilities and adopt concrete measures to resolve the energy crisis, which has affected millions of Ecuadorians with unforeseen power outages and a lack of predictability in the electricity supply.