Ecuador’s energy crisis deepens as drought halts hydropower production

Ecuador’s reliance on hydroelectric power has collided with a severe drought, causing daily blackouts and significant economic and social disruptions.

Julie Turkewitz and José María León Cabrera report for The New York Times.

In short:

Ecuador faces up to 14-hour daily blackouts due to drought draining rivers and reservoirs, crippling the hydroelectric-dependent power grid.
The outages have disrupted businesses, schools and basic services, with losses estimated at $12 million per hour of power cuts.
Experts warn that climate change will make hydropower less reliable, urging diversification into alternative energy sources like wind and solar.

Key quote:

The principal problem was the country’s "excessive focus on hydroelectric energy," which "left the system extremely vulnerable to climate change phenomena.”

— Lenin Moreno, former president of Ecuador

Why this matters:

Ecuador’s crisis underscores the risks of over-reliance on hydropower as climate change intensifies droughts. Vulnerable nations must prepare for water shortages with diversified energy sources to protect their economies and communities.

Learn more: Hydropower's challenges and opportunities amid climate change

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