The Minister of Energy of Ecuador resigned from his position after failing to mitigate the energy crisis that the country is going through due to the decrease in electricity production, aggravated by the drought
Antonio Goncalves, Minister of Energy and Mines of Ecuador, presented his resignation this Wednesday, October 9, in the midst of a severe energy crisis that has led the government to decree blackouts of up to 10 hours a day in some towns in the country.
The position will be assumed by Inés Manzano, current Minister of the Environment, according to Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa in a statement.
“Minister Manzano will lead the transformation of an outdated matrix, which has stagnated us in 72 percent dependence on rainfall and will execute renewable energy projects, already directed by this Government, that guarantee sustainability and energy sovereignty in the medium and long term,” said the president through the official account of the Presidency.
To the citizens: pic.twitter.com/y4dV7KfBnr
— Presidency Ecuador 🇪🇨 (@Presidencia_Ec) October 9, 2024
Currently the country has a high dependence on hydroelectric energy, which represents 72% of its generation capacity.
Goncalves’ departure occurs after the former minister himself announced new blackouts of up to 10 hours a day to confront the water crisis caused by the lack of rain in the country, aggravated by the lack of water in the Mazar dam, which feeds three hydroelectric stations.
The government had reduced the duration of power cuts to less than six hours from October 4, a measure they would maintain until October 20, but in the last week authorities have been forced to reinstate longer blackouts during the night to reduce consumption.
*Read also: Nighttime blackouts in Ecuador “could extend even further,” warns energy expert
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