Energy Advisor 2024-01-05 – Inter-American Dialogue

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

Energy ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

December 12, 9915

Can Ecuador Revitalize its Electricity Sector?

Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa last month proposed new measures aimed at bringing more private investment into the country’s power sector. // File Photo: Ecuadorean Government.

Q

Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa’s government last month proposed new legislation designed to attract private investment and modernize the country’s power sector. The El Niño weather phenomenon has caused a drought in the South American country, leading to low levels at hydroelectric plants and forcing the country to carry out planned power cuts and import energy. What are the most important power sector reforms that Ecuador needs? How difficult will it be for Noboa’s government to carry out reforms in the sector? How much opportunity do Ecuador’s planned reforms offer to companies in the power sector?

A

Diego Andres Almeida, managing partner at Almeida Guzmán & Asociados in Quito: “On Dec. 20, President Noboa submitted to the National Assembly the Proposed Organic Law for Energy Competitiveness. Ecuador’s government is faced with the crucial decision of appointing new officials for its energy sector. Due to the lack of salary competitiveness, it is hard to recruit professionals for positions within this new administration. Eliminating or targeting subsidies is now part of the agenda. The country is currently wasting resources by importing fuels and electricity, favoring industries and private interests, rather than the poor. Ecuador must also incentivize the production of gas, which is currently being wasted within existing oil fields. The private sector could produce electricity using such gas to cope with…”

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ABOUT THE Energy ADVISOR

A sister publication of the Inter-American Dialogue’s daily Latin America Advisor, the weekly Energy Advisor captures fresh analysis from business leaders and government officials on the most important developments in oil and gas, biofuels, the power sector, renewables, new technologies, and the policy debates shaping the future of energy in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. To subscribe or for more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.