Government says weekend blackouts in 54 cantons are necessary for El Niño preparation
The Energy Ministry announced on Thursday that 54 cantons, including Cuenca, would experience electrical blackouts Saturday and Sunday and again on June 6 and 7. The blackouts are necessary, the ministry said for maintenance and upgrades to electrical infrastructure in advance of the El Niño weather phenomenon.
The Energy Ministry has ordered electric blackouts for 54 cities this weekend and next weekend.
Several officials in the affected cantons questioned the timing and explanation of the power suspensions, suggesting the country is facing an energy crisis similar to the one in late 2024.
According to the Energy Ministry, work on power lines and electrical substations will be carried out in a “programmed and focused manner and service suspensions will not exceed four hours a day.”
“These technical interventions are part of a process of modernization and replacement of obsolete infrastructure, with the aim of guaranteeing a more reliable, safe and efficient electricity service for citizens,” the ministry said in a statement. “This is necessary due to the fast approaching El Niño.”
The mayor’s office in Ibarra, one of the cities scheduled for blackouts, criticized the short notice of the service suspension. “The government says this is planned and scheduled work, but why do they give cities only two days’ notice to prepare? If we are entering a new period of electricity shortages, we ask for a full explanation of how the government plans to respond.”
The 54 cantons subject to blackouts are Quito, Durán, Daule, Salitre, Palestina, Balzar, Colimes, Santa Lucía, Samborondón, Balao, Milagro, Naranjal, Pedro Carbo, Yaguachi, Baba, Babahoyo, Jujan, Montalvo, Vices, Buena Fe, Cuenca, Girón, Nabón, Santa Isabel, Macas, Echandía, Las Naves, San Miguel, Chillanes, Arenillas, Atahualpa, El Guabo, Machala, Zaruma, Atacames, Quinindé, Manta, Portoviejo, Francisco de Orellana, Joya de los Sachas, Pujilí, Salcedo, Ibarra, Otavalo, Alausí, Chunchi, Guamote, Pallatanga, Penipe, Riobamba, Loja, Puyango, Zapotillo and Lago Agrio, corresponding to the provinces of Pichincha, Guayas, Los Ríos, Azuay, Morona Santiago, Bolívar, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Manabí, Orellana, Sucumbíos, Cotopaxi, Imbabura, Chimborazo and Loja.
Blackout schedule for Cuenca [reported by El Mercurio]:
Saturday, May 30
- From 06h00 to 10h00: Av. Loja between Pastaza and del Farol; del Farol between Av. Loja and Av. 12 de Abril; San Roque between Av. Solano and Av. 12 de Abril
- From 10h00 to 14h00: Old School of Zhizho, Y at San Vicente, San Vicente de Arrayán, San Pedro de Arrayán
Sunday, May 31
- From 06h00 to 10h00: Antonio Vega Muñoz between Octavio Cordero and Miguel Vélez; Miguel Heredia, between Av. de las Américas and Sangurima; Miguel Vélez between Av. de las Américas and Sangurima; Rafael María Arízaga between Octavio Cordero and Raúl Huerta
Saturday, June 6
- From 06h00 to 10h00: Miguel Heredia, between Av. de las Américas and Antonio Vega Muñoz; Miguel Vélez, between Av. de las Américas and Antonio Vega Muñoz; Rafael María Arízaga, Between Octavio Cordero and Raúl Huerta.
- From 09h00 to 13h00: Vía 5 Esquinas Punta Corral- Patapamba to Patapamba to El Verde
Sunday, June 7
- From 06:00 to 10h00: Remigio Crespo Tamariz between Av. Loja and Av. 12 de Abril; Pastaza between Av. Loja and Av. 12 de Abril; Galápagos between Av. 12 de Abril and El Oro; Farol between Av. Loja and Av. 12 de Abril; San Roque between Solano and Av. 12 de Abril; Guayas between Av. Remigio Crespo and Av. 12 de Abril Avenue; Del Batán between Guayas and El Oro; Av. 12 de Abril between El Oro and Av. Loja
- From 09h00 to 13h00: Vía 5 Esquinas Punta Corral-Patapamba to ascent to El Verde
