Colombia nears resumption of electricity sales to Ecuador
by AFP Staff Writers
Bogota (AFP) April 29, 2024

Colombia said Monday it was close to resuming electricity sales to neighbor Ecuador after being forced to halt exports as its hydropower plants reach near-critical levels due to a biting regional drought.

After "technical reviews, we are on the point of resuming sales of energy to Ecuador and help resolve its rationing problems," President Gustavo Petro, whose own country is going through programmed water cuts, said on X.

Since mid-April, Ecuador has had power cuts of up to 13 hours per day due to drought blamed on the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Ninety-two percent of the country's electricity comes from hydroelectric plants.

In Colombia, which also relies heavily on hydroelectric power, the capital Bogota has endured weeks of programmed drinking water interruptions of up to 24 hours at a time.

Colombian power generation has been supplemented by thermoelectric plants, and it is hoped rains in recent days will alleviate the dire water situation.

Economic losses from power outages in Ecuador are estimated at $72 million a day, Energy Minister Roberto Luque said last week.

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