Ecuador Celec power and flood measures

In late July, Ecuador’s state‑owned electricity utility Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (Celec) began weekly inspections and maintenance of the Baba Multipurpose Complex in Los Ríos province to brace for anticipated El Niño‑related floods. The effort focused on monitoring dam water levels, precipitation, and structural integrity to protect up to 20,000 hectares of farmland. At the same time, Celec sought to unilaterally terminate a $89.9 million contract with Austral Technical Management for the Esmeraldas III thermoelectric generators, a process still pending final administrative steps.

A few days later, Celec shifted to securing additional generation capacity ahead of the dry season power deficit expected from October 2026. It awarded a US$58.5 million contract to Honduran firm Comercial Laeisz Honduras for a 45 MW lease of thermal generation, despite procedural concerns raised by the national procurement service. Simultaneously, Celec opened a tender for diesel‑generator rentals to add 15 MW at the Central Jaramijó plant, aiming to avoid a repeat of the 2024 blackout.

Together, the snapshots show Celec moving from flood‑risk mitigation and contract termination toward acquiring new thermal and diesel generation resources to safeguard Ecuador’s electricity supply.