The hydroelectric deficit has “exceeded a historic record” in Ecuador, announced Wednesday, April 17, the presidency, which decreed two non-working days to ration electricity and upgrade the country’s electrical installations.
“Senior state officials, including the outgoing minister, deliberately concealed crucial information on the functioning of the national electricity system”affirmed the presidency in a communicated.
On Tuesday, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa decreed “the emergency” in the electricity sector and demanded the resignation of the Minister of Energy, Andréa Arrobo, and appointed Roberto Luque in charge until then of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.
“Unprecedented acts of corruption and negligence”
According to the presidency, these cover-ups were made “with the aim that the current serious situation is not known and to prevent timely decision-making”. Of the “unprecedented acts of corruption and negligence”she denounced.
“Among the most striking facts, critical stocks of several water reserves and flow deficits of hydroelectric plants (…)a situation that exceeds historical records”added the presidency.
In addition to the cancellation of 50% of the household electricity bill for April (measure announced Tuesday), the presidency declared Thursday and Friday as non-working days, while “the strategic sectors of the government will remain 100% mobilized to resolve this energy crisis”.
These two non-working days will allow electricity rationing, the details of which will be announced during the day, and the maintenance of power plants, the press release added. An investigation was opened and presented to the Attorney General against “22 saboteurs” presumed.