Ecuador expands energy access through lighting and solar projects

Energy infrastructure projects are underway in various regions of Ecuador to improve service access and sustainability. In the Latacunga canton, the Empresa Eléctrica Provincial de Cotopaxi (ELEPCO) has begun installing public lighting in the Cristo Rey Sur neighborhood of the 11 de Noviembre rural parish. The project includes the installation of 27 poles, 20 luminaires, a 10 kV transformer, and several kilometers of low and medium voltage networks, benefiting 21 families.

Separately, a collaborative initiative involving the Instituto de Investigación Geológico y Energético (IIGE), the Secretaría de Educación Intercultural Bilingüe y la Etnoeducación (SEIBE), and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) will implement photovoltaic systems in three intercultural bilingual schools. Located in Carchi, Pastaza, and Morona Santiago, these solar energy installations aim to provide clean electricity to remote communities and improve educational environments. Implementation is scheduled to begin in October 2026.