Mazar reservoir water levels recover in Ecuador

The Mazar reservoir, a critical component of Ecuador's Paute Integral Hydroelectric Complex, has shown a recovery in water levels. Since Friday, October 2, the reservoir's elevation has increased by nearly two meters, rising from 2,130.46 meters above sea level at the start of the month to approximately 2,131.89 meters by the evening of Sunday, October 4.

During the weekend of October 3–4, the Mazar hydroelectric plant did not generate electricity, allowing the reservoir to accumulate water. While Mazar remained inactive, the broader Paute Integral Complex—which includes the Molino (1,100 MW) and Sopladora (487 MW) plants—operated at reduced capacities. Molino and Sopladora utilized only a portion of their available units during this period.

The Paute Integral Complex provides a total of 1,757 MW, covering roughly 40% of Ecuador's national electricity demand. Despite the recent rise in water levels, the current flow rate of 64.03 m³/s remains below the historical October average of 93.5 m³/s.