Severe drought in Ecuador
Ecuador is in the midst of its worst drought in more than 60 years. The ongoing crisis has dropped water reserves to critical levels, impacting electricity service in a country which relies on hydroelectric plants for seventy percent of its electricity supply. Ecuador’s president has announced a plan to add 1,598 megawatts of capacity to the national electricity system, starting in November 2024.
This image from one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, acquired on 22 October 2024, shows the Mazar reservoir, which recently reached its lowest level on record. The Mazar hydroelectric plant, a major source of electricity in Ecuador, is also visible. Due to a lack of water in the reservoir, energy production has been severely limited.
By helping to monitor the impacts of drought on bodies of water, Copernicus provides key insights on relevant sectors, including energy, while informing strategies to help ensure sustainable energy production.
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