In visit to Paute-Mazar complex, Noboa says ‘plans are progressing’ to upgrade Ecuador’s energy sector

President Daniel Noboa said Tuesday that his government is committed to repairing and strengthening the country’s electric energy system. “What we inherited was a system in shambles and today, plans are progressing rapidly to put it back in order,” Noboa said in a visit to the Paute-Mazar hydroelectric complex on the Azuay and Cañar provincial border.

President Daniel Noboa met with engineers at the Paute-Mazar hydroelectric complex on Tuesday.

Noboa and Energy Minister Inés Manzano flew into Cuenca early Tuesday before traveling to Paute-Mazar and to meetings with officials in Azogues and the city of Cañar. He was scheduled to visit Cuenca’s Vicente Corral Moscoso hospital, but canceled the meeting to spend more time at Mazar.

One of the government’s objectives, Noboa said, was to “optimize” operations to improve power generation during periods of drought. “The climate is changing and we must be prepared for droughts and low water conditions at our hydro plants in the future,” he said.

He said the government’s plan not only includes upgrades to hydro facilities but adding more permanent thermal, solar and wind generation plants.

He added that engineers at Paute-Mazar are studying ways to increase the capacity of the reservoir. “We must add new retention facilities to collect more water during periods of high rainfall to ensure continuous energy supplies during dry seasons.”

From September to late December 2024, Ecuador experienced electric blackouts lasting as long as 14 hours a day.

Manzano said the Mazar reservoir, which powers generators at three downstream hydro plants, is near capacity. “The change in weather has been a blessing and Mazar is only eight meters from being full,” she said. “Even if the rains stop, which we do not expect, this facility can produce electricity at a high level for 90 days.”

The energy minister said hydrological conditions at Ecuador’s seven other hydroelectric plants have “returned to normal”, allowing full generation as needed. “Codo Coca Sinclair has been operating near capacity to allow the Paute reservoir to fill at a faster rate,” she said. “Production at Alluriquín, Toachi Pilatón and San Francisco Mines has been fully restored.”

Following his visit to Paute-Mazar, Noboa met with city and provincial officials in Azogues, where he announced the signing of 3,000 social service agreements, valued at $18 million, to serve 24,844 people nationwide. “These contracts will provide services to our disadvantaged populations, who have been neglected in recent years,” he said.

Noboa also announced funding for road and sewer and water projects in Azogues, Suscal, Biblián and Cañar.