Mazar is Ecuador’s largest hydroelectric storage facility with a capacity of 410 million cubic meters, regulating the flow to three power plants — Mazar, Paute-Molino, and Sopladora — which together generate approximately 1,756 MW or 38% of Ecuador’s electricity demand. The reservoir’s improved status is critical because since January 22, Ecuador has ceased importing up to 450 MW of electricity from Colombia amid trade tensions, placing increased reliance on domestic hydropower infrastructure.
Despite earlier reports in January of river tributaries drying up in parts of the basin, the overall rainfall trend since mid-January has reversed that trend and allowed rapid reservoir recovery. National authorities, including the Ministry of Environment and Energy led by Inés Manzano, have ruled out imminent blackouts, emphasizing the combined impact of recovered hydro assets and reactivated thermoelectric units that add over 860 MW of capacity.
Meteorological forecasts predict continued intense rainfall through late February, reinforcing inflows and supporting the reservoir’s key role in maintaining Ecuador’s grid stability during the critical estiaje (dry) season. Nonetheless, sector experts caution about Ecuador’s ongoing vulnerability to climate variability and the need for diversified generation capacity to reduce risk in future drought episodes.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
