Ecuador has introduced nationwide nighttime blackouts and teleworking in the public sector as a severe drought—the worst in over six decades—threatens the country’s hydroelectric plants, the government announced on Tuesday.
Starting Thursday, the measures aim to manage the strain on the electrical grid caused by drought-induced low water levels at hydroelectric reservoirs, which provide the majority of Ecuador’s electricity.
A nightly eight-hour power cut will be imposed from Monday to Thursday, between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., next week.
The presidential statement emphasised that the cut-off time was chosen to minimise disruptions to daily activities and productivity. Additionally, teleworking will be implemented in the public sector on Thursday and Friday for the next two weeks.
The government had previously announced an eight-hour general blackout for this Wednesday to conduct “preventive maintenance” on the energy transmission system.
As a security measure, Interior Minister Monica Palencia stated that a curfew would accompany the blackout, as the country grapples with ongoing gang violence.
Earlier this year, Ecuador enforced electricity rationing of up to 13 hours daily due to the drought.
The country currently faces a 1,000-megawatt energy shortfall, with at least 100 MW expected to be supplemented by a government-hired thermal-power-generating barge.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Zimbabwe to Cull 200 Elephants to Feed Drought-Stricken Communities