Colombia Restarts Electricity Exports to Ecuador
On 5 August 2026 Colombia resumed electricity exports to Ecuador, delivering about 8.6 GWh per day – enough to meet more than 8 % of Ecuador’s demand. The flow will use roughly 78 % of the capacity of the bilateral interconnection links and can reach up to 450 MW during peak periods.
The restart follows a suspension that began on 22 January 2026 after a tariff‑related diplomatic dispute. Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, led by Edwin Palma Egea, said the export is conditioned on maintaining adequate reservoir levels and on safeguarding national energy security ahead of the expected El Niño season. New regulatory mechanisms were activated, allowing Colombian and Ecuadorian electricity firms to sign export contracts for the first time in 23 years.
The government stressed that the measure responds to Ecuador’s system‑security needs while preserving Colombia’s own water reserves. Minister Palma also urged Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to reciprocate the cooperation, noting that the technical and contractual conditions are now in place for continued cross‑border power flows.
Entities: Colombia · Daniel Noboa · EP Petroecuador · Ecuador · Edwin Palma · Edwin Palma Egea · Gustavo Petro · Interconnection links · PetroChina International Co. Ltd. · Republic of Colombia · Republic of Ecuador · Unipec America Inc.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 5 SOURCES] New regulatory mechanisms now allow Colombian and Ecuadorian electricity firms to sign export contracts, a first in 23 years. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The restart is conditioned on Colombia’s reservoir water levels and energy security, especially ahead of El Niño. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The export will cover more than 8 % of Ecuador’s electricity demand. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Export schedule includes up to 450 MW of power at peak periods. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Colombia resumed electricity exports to Ecuador on 5 August 2026. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The export volume is about 8.6 GWh per day. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The export will use approximately 78 % of the capacity of the interconnection links. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Exports were suspended on 22 January 2026 due to a diplomatic dispute over tariffs. (existing)