Ecuador Announces 15-Day Industrial Power Outage Despite Earlier Promises
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December 13, 2024 Hour: 10:05 pm
Despite recent government announcements declaring an end to nationwide power cuts, the Ecuadorian government has announced a new 15-day industrial power outage, scheduled from December 15th to 30th. The move is expected to significantly impact seven major industries and cause substantial economic losses.
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Energy and Mines Minister Inés Manzano confirmed the outage, specifying that it will affect four companies in the high-voltage group AV4 – two mining companies and two steel mills directly connected to transmission lines – along with three cement companies in the AV1 group.
Other industries will continue to experience the rotating power cuts they have already faced. Minister Manzano stated that these affected companies represent approximately 5% of the national energy demand.
Francisco Jarrín, president of the Guayaquil Chamber of Industries, emphasized the broader impact of the outage, stating that “the effect is felt throughout the entire production chain that receives or demands products from these companies; they are not isolated. It should not be seen as an impact only on a few companies.”
The impact on employment and the economy is significant. María Paz Jervis, president of the Ecuadorian Business Committee, estimates that 5,500 workers will be affected by the complete shutdown of AV1 and AV2 industrial groups. She projected potential economic losses of around $100 million.
This announcement comes after the industrial sector already experienced a 3% decline due to previous power cuts. The conflicting messaging from the government regarding power stability has raised serious concerns among industrial leaders and the wider business community. The timing of the outage, just before the end of the year, further exacerbates the negative economic consequences.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: Primicias-Sputnik
