The Central Paute Mazar hydroelectric plant marked 15 years of operation on January 13, according to the Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC EP). The facility has produced 10,981.17 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity since its inauguration, contributing significantly to Ecuador’s energy supply.
A commemorative event took place at the power station’s machine house with attendance from Antonio Jácome, General Manager of CELEC EP; Xavier Bermúdez, Governor of Azuay; local officials; and community representatives from areas near the Paute Integral Hydroelectric Complex.
In his remarks, Antonio Jácome said: “Mazar is a symbol of clean, efficient and abundant energy, but it is also the engine that promotes local development through our social investment programs, training sessions, support for productive enterprises and infrastructure works that improve quality of life in this territory.”
The Mazar plant serves as the main regulatory reservoir in Ecuador and plays a central role within the Paute Integral Hydroelectric Complex. Collectively, this complex supplies about 30 percent of Ecuador’s total electricity generation.
The Paute–Mazar facility has an installed capacity of 170 megawatts (MW), two Francis-type turbines, and a dam that can store up to 410 million cubic meters of water—six times more than Lake San Pablo. This storage allows for up to 733 GWh of energy to be held in reserve, helping maintain water regulation and grid stability.
Over its operational period, Mazar has achieved technical performance with a historical reliability factor of 97.44 percent and an availability factor of 94.71 percent. These metrics reflect the plant’s ability to operate continuously and efficiently.
During the anniversary event, employees who have served for five, ten, fifteen or twenty years with CELEC SUR were recognized with commemorative plaques.
Looking ahead, CELEC EP highlighted plans such as the Floating Photovoltaic Project at Mazar as part of efforts by both the government and CELEC EP toward building a sustainable and responsible energy matrix. “Mazar does not stop. It evolves and projects itself into the future with initiatives like the Floating Photovoltaic Project at Mazar, which reaffirms the commitment of the Government of New Ecuador and CELEC EP to a sustainable, sovereign and environmentally responsible energy matrix,” said Jácome.
