In brief
Ecuador, once a beacon of hope for renewable energy, now faces crippling droughts and power outages, highlighting the impact of climate change on its energy strategy.
As recent months have shown, Ecuador's ambitious hydroelectric projects are being severely tested by the worst drought the country has experienced in years. Once viewed as a sustainable solution to both energy demand and economic growth, the vast potential of the nation's rivers is drying up, leading to significant challenges for both households and businesses.Civil society is feeling the effects acutely; power outages lasting up to 14 hours have become commonplace since September, cutting deep into the daily lives of residents, disrupting productivity, and causing financial losses estimated at $12 million every hour. Areas in the capital, Quito, are particularly hard hit, as streets fall into darkness, access to running water is disrupted, and digital connectivity has faltered.Local entrepreneurs, like ice cream shop owner Gabriela Jijón, share the sentiment of despair that grips the nation: "My country is adrift." Children, such as 8-year-old Jacobo Flórez, are adjusting their routines to accommodate the changes, seeking alternative light sources to continue their evening homework. Ecuador's transition into hydroelectric dependency is now at a crossroads as the climate crisis deepens, bringing into question the viability of renewable energy solutions that once charted the path towards a more prosperous future for the country.
