Electricity in Ecuador in 2023/2024

In the period from July 2023 to June 2024, Ecuador's electricity consumption shows a strong emphasis on low-carbon sources, which account for more than 70% of the total electricity generated. Hydropower, a key player in this mix, contributes almost 69%, while other low-carbon sources like biofuels make up just over 1%. On the other hand, fossil fuels still represent a significant part of the electricity generation at about 27%. Net imports and gas have smaller shares, contributing nearly 3% each. Clearly, while Ecuador has made substantial strides towards clean energy, there remains an opportunity to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and further diversify its energy portfolio.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Ecuador can learn from countries successfully harnessing nuclear, wind, and solar energy. For instance, Uruguay, a neighboring country with similar geographical features, generates around 36% of its electricity from wind. Emulating such an approach by investing in wind energy could further boost Ecuador's clean energy output. Additionally, although Ecuador doesn't have nuclear energy contributions in its current mix, countries such as France and Ukraine have effectively utilized nuclear power to constitute major portions of their electricity generation, at 67% and 55% respectively. Exploring nuclear as a viable and sustainable option could play a crucial role in Ecuador's energy strategy, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependency.

History

Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Ecuador, hydropower has experienced various periods of growth and challenges. In the early to mid-1980s, hydropower generation saw incremental increases, with notable expansions of 0.8 TWh and 1.5 TWh in 1983 and 1984, respectively. The growth continued sporadically through the 90s and 2000s, with a few setbacks such as the decline of 1.4 TWh in 1995 and a sharp drop of 2.1 TWh in 2009. However, in the late 2010s, hydropower saw remarkable growth, peaking in 2017 and 2019 with a substantial increase of 4.2 TWh each year. Most recently, a slight decline of 1.4 TWh from 2023 to 2024 indicates the need for continued investment and resilience in the face of challenges. This history showcases Ecuador's longstanding efforts and progress in bolstering its low-carbon infrastructure, with a promising outlook for integrating diverse clean energy technologies into its grid.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources