Ecuador announced an increase in daily power outages as a severe drought continued to reduce water levels for key hydroelectric facilities, according to AP News.
Hydroelectric plants provide more than 70 per cent of the country’s energy needs. Acting Energy Minister Inés Manzano said late Thursday night that authorities had ordered the suspension of power from eight to 14 hours a day.
We know the sacrifices that are being made in the context of this serious electricity crisis.
The new measures came days after President Daniel Noboa said he expected a gradual reduction in the number of blackouts in the country of 17 million people.
Since mid-September, Ecuador introduced electricity rationing of up to 10 hours a day in some cities. However, the El Niño-induced drought affecting several South American countries forced authorities to announce more extreme policies.
