For almost two months, Ecuador has not had a single day without a power outage. Since September 18, Ecuadorians have spent more than 500 hours in the dark, a third of their time. Whether in terms of insecurity, road accidents and economic crisis, the consequences are severe.
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With our correspondent in Quito, Eric Samson
Never has the weather in Colombia been followed with so much interest in Ecuador. Since this week, Bogota has in fact agreed to sell its surplus thermal energy, but on condition that the dams supplying its hydroelectric power stations are kept two-thirds full. This made it possible on Monday to keep power cuts to “only” eight hours per day.
After months of unprecedented drought, the country is awaiting winter rains which are still only sporadic. Daily power cuts therefore range between six and fourteen hours, depending on the weather. The noise of generators and the pollution they cause are now part of everyday life for Ecuadorians.
Seven billion euros loss
According to the Quito Chamber of Commerce, the country has lost nearly seven billion euros since the power cuts began, four billion in industry and the rest in commerce.
Despite the increase in VAT from 12 to 15% last April, revenues in September fell from 670 to 640 million dollars, proof of a contraction in economic activity. Road accidents are on the rise as is insecurity with nearly 1,000 violent deaths in the country since the beginning of October despite nighttime operations by the police and the army in areas without electricity.
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