As Ecuador continues to experience severe drought in over six decades, the government has announced drastic measures to conserve electricity.
The electricity preserve includes night-time blackouts and teleworking for public sector employees to conserve energy.
The presidential office stated that the drought, described as the most severe in 61 years, has significantly impacted the country’s hydroelectric reservoirs which is the main source of Ecuador’s electricity.
“These measures are being taken to responsibly manage the control of our electrical system.”
The conservation starting from Thursday, are due “to the worst drought in the last 61 years and aim to responsibly manage the control of our electrical system,”
“The established cut-off time has been chosen with the aim of generating the least possible impact on productive activities and the working day,” the presidency said.
“Teleworking would also be implemented in the public sector on Thursday and Friday of this week and next,” it added.
Starting next week, from Monday to Thursday, an eight-hour nightly power cut will be enforced from 10:00 pm.
The government aims to minimize the impact on productivity by scheduling the cuts outside of typical working hours.
Meanwhile, teleworking for public sector employees will also be mandatory on Thursday and Friday of this week and the next.
In addition, a nationwide blackout had also been scheduled for Wednesday night for “preventive maintenance” on the country’s energy transmission system.
This will be paired with a curfew, announced by Interior Minister Monica Palencia, to ensure public safety amid concerns about rising gang violence.
Recall that in April, the country had already implemented electricity rationing of up to 13 hours a day due to the persistent drought.
However, at the moment, Ecuador faces an energy shortfall of around 1,000 megawatts, with 100 megawatts expected to be offset by a thermal-power-generating barge hired by the government.
