Where does Ecuador's electricity come from?

Ecuador’s state-owned electricity company, CELEC EP, imports electricity from neighboring Colombia. CELEC is also increasing diesel purchases from Petroecuador to power its thermal electric power plants. Ecuador had a peak demand of 5,110 MW in May 2025, and according to CENACE, electricity demand grows by 360 MW every year.

What type of energy does Ecuador use?

Ecuador’s renewable energy is comprised of hydro power (5,419 MW), biomass (1550 MW), wind (71 MW), photovoltaic (29 MW), and biogas (11 MW). Hydroelectric power plants are in three regions: coastal (2 provinces), Andes (9 provinces), and Amazon (4 provinces).

How much electricity does Ecuador need?

Ecuador had a peak demand of 5,110 MW in May 2025, and according to CENACE, electricity demand grows by 360 MW every year. Ecuador’s energy shortage could result in a recurrence of power outages, particularly in the dry season of September through December. Ecuador has added minimal generation in recent years.

Can Ecuador add nuclear energy to its energy mix?

Ecuador is also exploring opportunities to add nuclear energy to its energy mix, though it has not allocated budgetary resources to this sector. Ecuador’s nuclear energy plan contemplates a 300 MW small modular reactor in the medium term and a 1 GW reactor in the long term.

Why is Ecuador a good place to start a business?

Ecuador provides significant business opportunities in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. Electricity demand continues to increase, and Ecuador urgently needs to increase generation capacity and accelerate investments to meet demand.

Will Ecuador import natural gas?

Ecuador plans to accelerate the procedures to import natural gas to supply the largest thermoelectric plant in Ecuador, Termogas Machala, which works at 50 percent capacity.