Does Ecuador rely on hydropower?

Ecuador's reliance on hydropower for electricity generation makes the country's power sector vulnerable to droughts and low water levels during the dry season, which generally runs from October to March each year. To compensate, Ecuador currently relies on oil-fired plants for non-hydroelectric power generation.

How does Ecuador generate electricity?

Ecuador’s mountainous terrain and numerous rivers allow for hydroelectric power generation. The launch of several large facilities since 1983 has solidified the hydropower sector's leading role in Ecuador's electricity generation mix (Table 3).

How much energy does Ecuador use?

In 2021, the country consumed 21 thousand short tons,15 which it imported primarily from the United States, followed by Peru. Ecuador relied heavily on fossil fuel (which include oil, natural gas, and coal) production for power generation a decade ago, with fossil fuel-powered plants accounting for about 43% of total energy production in 2011.

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.

How has Ecuador's energy consumption changed over the years?

Ecuador’s energy production increased by a compounded growth rate of 0.5% per year from 2011 to 2021, and renewables accounted for most of the increase. The country's energy consumption also increased by a compounded growth rate of 0.5% per year over the same period, down from 4.9% per year the decade prior.

How did Ecuador's power outages affect economic activity in 2024?

During a prolonged dry season in 2024, Ecuador’s over-reliance on hydropower (78 percent of total generation) resulted in daily blackouts of up to 14 hours, hurting economic activity. According to Ecuador’s Central Bank, power outages caused economic losses of about $2 billion in 2024.