The measure will affect 185 industries in the High Voltage 1 (AV1) segment and approximately 8,900 medium-voltage companies, the ministry reported following a meeting with representatives from the electricity sector.

  The Ministry explained that the restrictions aim to reduce demand from large consumers, preserve energy reserves, and maintain the stability of the national electrical system, with the goal of guaranteeing continued supply to households.

  Although heavy rains and even flooding are being recorded in other parts of the country, rainfall has so far been insufficient in the river basins that supply the power complex.

  The industrial disconnections—which impact production, employment, and the national economy—are part of measures the government has been implementing since September 18 to reduce consumption during the dry season (a period of low water flow), which began earlier than usual this year.

  Last week, the Engineering and Economics Advisory Council suggested that the Executive branch begin implementing preventive power outages in the residential sector for two hours during the early morning.

  In 2024, Ecuador suffered an energy crisis with blackouts lasting up to 14 hours a day; although President Daniel Noboa stated last Monday that the situation would not be repeated, concerns persist.

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