Ecuador’s current nuclear energy roadmap envisions a phased progression beginning in 2024, culminating in the deployment of a small modular reactor (SMR) with an approximate capacity of 150 megawatts, alongside a conventional reactor of around 1 gigawatt, between 2026 and 2029. This approach reflects a strategic pivot toward low-carbon, reliable electricity generation technologies to strengthen the national energy matrix, currently challenged by supply deficits and operational setbacks in thermal power projects. The government has committed to reinforcing regulatory oversight by issuing an executive decree to create an agency for nuclear energy regulation, expected by mid-2025, and to establishing a dedicated nuclear energy vice ministry within the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Ecuador’s adoption of the Policy on Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, which outlines mandatory safety and environmental protection measures, underpins these developments. Despite recent controversies regarding energy project implementations due to contractual and technical failures, authorities emphasize transparency and alignment with international nuclear safety standards. The sustained cooperation with IAEA and interest from leading nuclear sector companies internationally could facilitate Ecuador’s timely and structured transition toward nuclear energy incorporation, augmenting national efforts to diversify clean energy sources.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
