How much electricity does Ecuador need?

Ecuador had a peak demand of 5,110 MW in May 2025, and according to CENACE, electricity demand grows by 360 MW every year. Ecuador’s energy shortage could result in a recurrence of power outages, particularly in the dry season of September through December. Ecuador has added minimal generation in recent years.

How has Ecuador's energy consumption changed over the years?

Ecuador’s energy production increased by a compounded growth rate of 0.5% per year from 2011 to 2021, and renewables accounted for most of the increase. The country's energy consumption also increased by a compounded growth rate of 0.5% per year over the same period, down from 4.9% per year the decade prior.

What is Ecuador's energy supply?

Ecuador’s power space has long been dominated by hydropower and oil-based generation. According to IRENA’s latest data (for 2017), almost 80% of the country’s energy supply was from oil and about 16% from renewables, with almost all of this from hydro supplemented with a small contribution from bioenergy.

How does Ecuador generate electricity?

Ecuador’s mountainous terrain and numerous rivers allow for hydroelectric power generation. The launch of several large facilities since 1983 has solidified the hydropower sector's leading role in Ecuador's electricity generation mix (Table 3).

Will solar power grow in Ecuador?

“As of 2019, with an installed capacity of 26.7 MW solar PV formed a negligible portion of Ecuador’s capacity mix,” comments Somik Das, Senior Power Analyst at GlobalData. “Going ahead, GlobalData notes that growth in solar capacity is anticipated to see an expansion, seeing cumulative installed capacity of more than 4GW by 2030.”

Is Ecuador laying the foundation for 15% solar PV growth?

Ecuador is laying the foundation for 15% solar PV growth over the coming decade, data and analytics company GlobalData reports. The country is currently taking its nascent steps into non-traditional renewable energies, particularly solar PV deployment.