BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia to Sell Geothermal Energy to Ecuador and Prevent Electricity Shortages
In an effort to help Ecuador avoid electricity cuts caused by an ongoing severe drought, the presidents of Colombia and Ecuador have announced that Colombia will sell geothermal energy to its neighboring country. Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso confirmed that Colombia will provide 450 megawatts of energy, which will help Ecuador address a deficit of 650 megawatts due to decreased production from hydro-electric plants as a result of the worst drought in 50 years.
The drought, which has been attributed to the El Nino weather pattern by the government, has particularly impacted the eastern and southern regions of Ecuador, where 90% of the country’s hydro-electric plants operate. At a press conference held in Bogota, President Lasso, standing alongside Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro, stated that the transfer of energy will take place between November and December, the period when Ecuador is most susceptible to drought. President Lasso emphasized that the goal is to expedite this process to assist Ecuador in combatting the problem of blackouts caused by the drought.
The two countries are currently exploring payment options, including the potential for Ecuador to provide energy to Colombia once its drought subsides. Additionally, Peru has agreed to export an additional 50 megawatts to Ecuador, and Guayaquil business leaders with thermal plants have the capacity to provide an extra 100 megawatts. With these combined efforts, most of Ecuador’s energy needs will be met. “We will fill the deficit in Ecuador’s energy demand,” asserted President Petro.
(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia and Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
