Ecuador Aims to Recover Electricity Generation by 2026
Published: August 9, 2024, 7:06 PM
The Electric Corporation of Ecuador (CELEC) has outlined a plan to recover 463.7 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation by 2026 to address the country’s electricity deficit. This deficit currently stands at 475 MW.
Current Electricity Situation
Ecuador has an installed capacity of 6,500 MW but only achieved a maximum power output of 4,811 MW in December 2023. Currently, the country operates with 5,063 MW.
Immediate Solutions
To address the immediate crisis, CELEC proposes several measures:
Leasing a 110 MW generation barge.
Purchasing containerized or mobile generation units.
Increasing the import of natural gas to optimize the operation of the Thermogas Machala plant.
Thermoelectric Plants and Future Plans
Ecuador has 46 thermal power plants with an installed capacity of 1,862 MW. However, these plants are operating at only 850 MW, less than half their capacity.
The government plans to:
Recover the remaining generation capacity by 2026.
Add three new 212-MW thermoelectric plants in the medium and long term.
Modernize and improve the efficiency of existing thermoelectric plants.
Sustainable Solutions in the Long Run
CELEC recognizes the need for sustainable energy solutions and plans to incorporate more efficient and sustainable technologies in the future. The Toachi-Pilatón hydroelectric plant is also expected to come online in the coming months.