QUITO (AFP) – Ecuador lengthened scheduled electricity rationing from eight to 14 hours per day due to the worst drought it has faced in six decades, the energy minister announced.
“We have taken the painful but responsible decision to change the rationing plan, increasing it from eight to 14 hours a day,” Energy and Mines Minister Ines Manzano said in a video posted on social networks. Low water levels have caused the reservoirs of hydroelectric plants that cover 70 per cent of national demand to fall to critical levels in recent months.
In April, Ecuador imposed electricity rationing of up to 13 hours a day. The outages have been adjusted down to eight hours a day and were due to be reduced further to six hours from tomorrow, and even down to four hours early next month. The minister said the latest schedule would be reviewed today.
