Key reasons why Colombia has recently cut its electricity supply to Ecuador?
Introduction
Colombia’s recent decision to cut its electricity supply to Ecuador stems from several key factors:
Severe Drought Conditions
The primary reason for Colombia’s suspension of electricity exports to Ecuador is the severe drought affecting the region. This drought, attributed to the El Niño weather phenomenon, has significantly impacted Colombia’s hydroelectric power generation capacity.
Critical Water Levels
Colombia’s hydroelectric reservoirs have experienced a dramatic decrease in water levels:
Reservoir levels have dropped 16 points below the winter target.
The country’s main reservoirs are approaching critical levels.
Prioritizing Domestic Needs
Given the challenging circumstances, Colombia has chosen to prioritize its domestic energy requirements:
The suspension aims to ensure sufficient power for Colombian consumers.
Colombia has increased its reliance on thermal power plants to compensate for the shortfall in hydroelectric generation.
Temporary Measure
It’s important to note that this suspension is intended to be a temporary measure:
The Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy issued a resolution to pause power sales as a short-term solution.
The export suspension may be lifted once conditions improve.
Impact on Ecuador
The suspension of electricity exports from Colombia has significant consequences for Ecuador
Colombia’s electrical interconnection with Ecuador has a capacity of 450 megawatts, representing approximately 10% of Ecuador’s total energy demand.
This loss of power supply has exacerbated Ecuador’s ongoing energy crisis, which was already severe due to its own drought conditions.
Conclusion
Colombia’s decision to cut electricity supply to Ecuador is primarily driven by the need to manage its own energy crisis caused by severe drought conditions, forcing the country to prioritize domestic energy needs over exports.
