Hydropower - Nyland South Energy

Ecuador’s CELEC Launches First Major Overhaul in 20 Years at Paute Molino Unit 2

State-owned Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC EP) has initiated comprehensive maintenance on Generation Unit 2 at the Molino Hydroelectric Plant, marking the first intervention of this scale in two decades. The work, coordinated with national grid operator CENACE, temporarily removes 105 MW from Ecuador’s second-largest hydroelectric facility as the country enters the dry season. The […]

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Colombia, Economy, Hydropower

Colombia Faces Firm Energy Deficit as El Niño Arrives, Acolgen Warns of Supply Risk

Colombia enters the El Niño phenomenon with a structural deficit in firm energy capacity, raising concerns about the system’s ability to meet demand during prolonged drought conditions. The energy sector is monitoring reservoir levels and thermal plant availability as XM projects reserves could fall to historic lows by mid-2027. Natalia Gutiérrez, president of the Colombian

Colombia Faces Firm Energy Deficit as El Niño Arrives, Acolgen Warns of Supply Risk Read Post »

Brazil, Hydropower, Markets

SPIC Brasil signs R$1.4 billion contract with Chinese consortium to expand São Simão hydropower plant by 310 MW

SPIC Brasil has formalized contracts totaling R$1.4 billion to add a seventh generating unit at the São Simão hydroelectric facility, marking one of Brazil’s largest recent hydro expansion investments. The project, qualified under the 2026 Capacity Reserve Auction (LRCAP), will add 310 MW of installed capacity with commercial operations targeted for 2030. The expansion strategy

SPIC Brasil signs R$1.4 billion contract with Chinese consortium to expand São Simão hydropower plant by 310 MW Read Post »

Brazil, Hydropower, Markets

SPIC Brasil Awards $272 Million Contract to Chinese Consortium for 310 MW São Simão Hydroelectric Expansion

SPIC Brasil has locked in a Chinese consortium to deliver the seventh generating unit at São Simão hydroelectric plant, committing R$1.4 billion to add 310 MW of firm capacity by 2030. The expansion, enabled by the March 2026 capacity reserve auction, positions the company to optimize existing infrastructure while securing a 15-year revenue stream of

SPIC Brasil Awards $272 Million Contract to Chinese Consortium for 310 MW São Simão Hydroelectric Expansion Read Post »

Economy, Ecuador, Hydropower

Ecuador Faces Anticipated Dry Season With Strategic Reservoir Below Normal and Colombian Imports Halted

Ecuador enters its 2026-2027 dry season a month earlier than historical patterns, confronting the period with depleted water reserves, electricity demand exceeding forecasts by 500 MW, and sharply curtailed access to Colombian power imports. The convergence of these factors raises operational risk for a system that planned to add 920 MW of new thermal capacity

Ecuador Faces Anticipated Dry Season With Strategic Reservoir Below Normal and Colombian Imports Halted Read Post »

Economy, Hydropower, Paraguay

Itaipú raises Paraguay power supply 19% as infrastructure demands test ANDE’s investment capacity

Itaipú delivered 19,276 GWh to Paraguay’s national grid operator ANDE between January and August 2026, marking a 19% increase over the same period in 2025. The surge in supply underscores growing electricity demand as Paraguay pursues industrialization, while government officials defend proposed sector reforms amid union opposition to regulatory restructuring. Between January and August 2026,

Itaipú raises Paraguay power supply 19% as infrastructure demands test ANDE’s investment capacity Read Post »

Economy, Ecuador, Hydropower

Ecuador’s Mazar reservoir drops 10 meters in 45 days as Colombia restricts hydropower exports ahead of El Niño

Ecuador’s primary hydroelectric reservoir faces mounting pressure as water levels decline sharply during an early dry season while Colombia curtails electricity sales to protect its own grid. The convergence of below-average rainfall, higher-than-forecast demand, and reduced import availability exposes structural vulnerabilities in Ecuador’s generation capacity as the country enters a prolonged drought period extending through

Ecuador’s Mazar reservoir drops 10 meters in 45 days as Colombia restricts hydropower exports ahead of El Niño Read Post »

Chile, Economy, Hydropower

Chile’s electricity generation rises in August on 60% hydropower surge, while system faces renewable curtailment challenges

Chile’s electricity generation expanded in August 2026 driven by a 60% year-on-year increase in hydroelectric output, marking a shift from the declining hydro production seen earlier in the year. The growth occurs as the country grapples with record renewable energy curtailment, though rapidly expanding battery storage capacity is beginning to address system flexibility constraints. Chile’s

Chile’s electricity generation rises in August on 60% hydropower surge, while system faces renewable curtailment challenges Read Post »

Ecuador, Hydropower, Markets

Ecuador’s Intag Valley Community Develops 300-kW Micro-Hydro Model as Alternative to Extractive Industries

Nineteen families in Ecuador’s Intag Valley are building a 300-kilowatt run-of-river hydropower plant that allocates half its revenue to conservation while offering an alternative income source to mining and large-scale agriculture in Imbabura province. The HidroAguagrún project, registered as a business since 2022 with 90% community ownership, provides a test case for replicating decentralized renewable

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