The government announced on March 19 that it is carrying out technical actions to progressively restore the electricity supply in the province of Santa Elena. These efforts include adding new generation capacity and implementing a structural intervention, with full restoration of the system expected by the end of April. Scheduled power outages in the province are set to be suspended starting March 21 as these solutions come into effect.
The measures underway this week involve integrating an additional 15 megawatts (MW) of power—3 MW in Chanduy and 12 MW in Pechiche. An extra 7 MW will also be available from a transformer relocated from Ibarra, bringing the short-term operational total to 22 MW.
In addition, another 6 MW will arrive in the country on March 22. The equipment is scheduled for customs clearance on March 23 and installation in La Libertad canton on March 24. After implementation and an estimated five-day setup period, total capacity is expected to reach 28 MW by the end of March.
These steps aim to reduce interruptions for residents across several sectors of Santa Elena, improving service continuity while a permanent solution is finalized. In parallel, work continues on a structural fix involving moving a large transformer (224 MVA) from Pascuales substation to Santa Elena. Technical inspections were conducted between March 15 and 17 on thirty-seven bridges along the route, involving multiple ministries and private companies using specialized equipment and drones.
Specific points requiring technical interventions have been identified to ensure safe transport of the transformer. Planning is underway for scheduling and optimizing logistics. Once all permits are granted, officials estimate that moving the transformer will take about two days, with continuous work leading to its operation within roughly thirty days—restoring full system capacity by late April.
The government said it remains committed to deploying technical teams and coordinating institutions to recover electricity supply in Santa Elena, prioritizing progressive solutions while completing structural repairs.
