Ecuador 100MW energy storage power station

CCS is the country's largest hydropower plant by generation capacity. Ecuador's state-owned electricity company CELEC imports electricity from neighboring Colombia, costing $400 million in 2022. It is also increasing diesel purchases from Petroecuador to power its thermal electric power plants.

The Ecuadorian electricity sector is considered strategic due to its direct influence with the development productive of the country. In Ecuador for the year 2020, the generation capacity registered in the national territory was 8712.29 MW of NP (nominal power) and 8095.25 MW of PE (Effective power).

Based on what has been described, it is identified that there is a high potential for electricity generation in Ecuador, especially the types of projects and specific places to start them up by the central state and radicalize the energy transition.

Electricity demand grows by 200 MW every year, meaning Ecuador should add 250 MW or 300 MW of new power generation each year. However, Ecuador has added minimal additional generation in the last three years.

The Energy Ministry released tenders in 2021 for a 500 MW renewable block (wind, biomass, solar), 400 MW Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCCP), and a Northeast Transmission System to supply the Ecuadorian oil system. The Energy Ministry has not yet awarded the contracts.

This becomes an important strategic component within the Ecuadorian electricity production system. However, analyzed source by source, the greatest contribution is hydroelectric with 5064.16 MW of effective power of the total of 5254.95 MW, which implies 96.36% of the total renewable energy.