Transmission Line Failure Causes Nationwide Power Outage in Ecuador. Massive power outages have struck Ecuador following a transmission line failure, leaving the entire country without electricity. Public Works Minister Roberto Luque, also serving as acting energy minister, confirmed the outage stemmed from a transmission line failure, causing a cascading disconnection that resulted in a complete loss of electricity nationwide.
In Quito, the capital city, witnesses reported confusion as traffic lights ceased functioning, contributing to chaotic conditions on the streets. The city’s subway system, a vital transport lifeline, was also forced to suspend operations due to the outage.
“The Quito Metro operations are interrupted due to a general failure of the national interconnected electrical energy system. We are currently restarting and verifying all systems,” stated a spokesperson for the metro system.
This latest blackout follows President Daniel Noboa’s declaration of an energy emergency in April, which included planned electricity cuts. Ecuador has been grappling with challenges in hydro-electricity production due to a prolonged drought, exacerbated by heavy rains over the weekend that forced authorities to temporarily shut down three hydroelectric plants.
The weekend’s intense rainfall triggered a devastating landslide that claimed the lives of at least 17 people, leaving another 19 injured. In response, Ecuador’s OCP oil pipeline, operated privately, suspended operations and declared force majeure due to the adverse conditions.
The blackout underscores Ecuador’s vulnerability to energy disruptions amid ongoing environmental challenges, prompting renewed concerns over the country’s energy infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.
