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Ecuador electrical grid stability concerns

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-22 13:04 UTC → 2026-09-22 14:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In August 2026, the Mazar reservoir in Ecuador experienced a rapid decline in water levels, dropping more than 4 meters in the first 24 days of the month. This reduction, totaling approximately 25 million cubic meters, occurred ahead of the anticipated dry season. By September, the state-owned Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC EP) began implementing measures to strengthen the national electrical grid. This included reincorporating 65 MW of thermal generation following repairs to a unit at the Machala I plant and initiating major maintenance on the Molino Hydroelectric Plant. In Quito, some industries and shopping centers began voluntarily using private power generators to mitigate potential supply risks. As the situation progressed, the Mazar reservoir level dropped to 2,138.8 meters above sea level, which is 14.2 meters below the maximum permitted level. This decline was exacerbated by a severe dry season and El Niño, which reduced river flows in the Amazon basin. To protect the reservoir, the government and high-voltage consumers (segment AV1) coordinated a measure requiring approximately 150 to 167 industrial companies to disconnect from the electrical grid one full day per week, starting September 22, 2026. Concentrated largely in Guayaquil and Durán, these disconnections represent about 90% of the AV1 segment's consumption and are intended to save between 1,000 MW, or roughly 20% to 25% of daily demand. The Ministry of Environment and Energy, led by Juan Carlos Blum, noted that the affected group includes 167 entities in the AV1 category and five in the AV2 category, including Petroecuador, two mining companies, and two steel mills. While some companies may reorganize work schedules, the primary goal is to manage the demand curve to address a national electricity deficit of 1,391 MW.

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