Ecuador schedules widespread power outages on June 6‑7 for maintenance

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment and Energy announced scheduled power cuts on June 6 and 7 as part of a preventive maintenance program. Minister Juan Carlos Blum said 72 maintenance tasks will be carried out in 35 cantons, including cleaning sub‑stations, installing a new 69 kV line at the Dos Cerritos sub‑station and commissioning a new sub‑station in Buena Fe. The program aims to reinforce the national grid ahead of the anticipated impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.

A separate schedule lists 52 cantons where electricity will be suspended for up to four hours, affecting cities such as Quito and Cuenca but excluding Guayaquil, Daule and Samborondón. The maintenance effort involves seven distribution companies and a dedicated investment of about US$1.39 million, with additional infrastructure projects totaling roughly US$7 million. Authorities stress that the outages are temporary, localized and intended to prevent larger failures during periods of high demand or adverse weather.