Minister Roberto Luque reported that an abrupt and sudden situation occurred after Coca Codo Sinclair stopped producing electricity. Among the response measures, it was requested to import more energy to Colombia.

Due to an unexpected event, the Ecuadorian hydroelectric plant Coca Codo Sinclair (CCS) had to close floodgates and stopped generating electricity. The Minister of Energy in charge of the Andean country, Roberto Luque, reported on the situation around 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, through his X account.

What happened was that there was an “abrupt and sudden increase in the sediments in the catchment” of the hydroelectric plant. For this reason, “the floodgates have been closed, preventing it from generating electrical energy,” Luque explained.

In response, the entire thermal park was activated and additional energy imports to Colombia were requested.

“The situation continues to be evaluated and as a result of that evaluation, measures will be taken that will be announced in a timely manner. We are making every effort to avoid an unwanted emerging rationing,” posted the minister, in a first message accompanying a graph of the sediment flow.

Although the situation with CCS is worrying, the Ecuadorian Minister of Energy clarified in a second message that “there will be no power cuts.”

“After carrying out the analysis of the deficit with the current demand and with the incorporation of the thermal park, it is reported that, despite the withdrawal of operation of the Coca Codo Sinclair plant, there will be no power outages,” noted Luque.

He added that it is also observed that the sediment level is decreasing, which indicates that the hydroelectric plant could operate again in a matter of hours.

Electricity rationing has been suspended since May 1. Minister Roberto Luque announced last week that the measure will remain in place until at least Sunday, May 26.