Compact power station factory in Ecuador

Where does Ecuador's electricity come from?

Ecuador’s state-owned electricity company, CELEC EP, imports electricity from neighboring Colombia. CELEC is also increasing diesel purchases from Petroecuador to power its thermal electric power plants. Ecuador had a peak demand of 5,110 MW in May 2025, and according to CENACE, electricity demand grows by 360 MW every year.

Can Ecuador add nuclear energy to its energy mix?

Ecuador is also exploring opportunities to add nuclear energy to its energy mix, though it has not allocated budgetary resources to this sector. Ecuador’s nuclear energy plan contemplates a 300 MW small modular reactor in the medium term and a 1 GW reactor in the long term.

When will Ecuador start constructing a solar power plant?

In 2023, the Energy Ministry released tenders for a 500 MW renewable block (wind, biomass, solar), 400 MW Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCCP), and a Northeast Transmission System to supply the Ecuadorian oil system. From these tenders, only the Villonaco project has started construction as of August 2025.

What type of energy does Ecuador use?

Ecuador’s renewable energy is comprised of hydro power (5,419 MW), biomass (1550 MW), wind (71 MW), photovoltaic (29 MW), and biogas (11 MW). Hydroelectric power plants are in three regions: coastal (2 provinces), Andes (9 provinces), and Amazon (4 provinces).