Hydroelectricity in Ecuador

By: Rayna (Arena)

KEY WORDS: hydroelectricity, hydroelectric power plant, generator, electricity, renewable resource, Ecuador, water

Electricity! Something we take for granted several hundred times a day when you turn on the TV to watch the evening news, drink a cold beverage from the refrigerator, heat something up in the microwave, turn on the fan in your house or even switch on the light. But where does that energy come from? Where is the electricity being produced as it flows through the wires and cords to your reading lamp?

In the United States, 49.8% of electricity is produced through coal power plants, 19.9% from nuclear power plants, 17.9% from natural gas, 6.5% from hydroelectric power plants, and 2.3% from other renewable resources. In Ecuador, 63% of electricity is produced from hydroelectric power plants. The rest is mostly from conventional thermal energy (Energy Information Administration). Therefore, most Ecuadorians rely heavily on hydroelectric power, whereas North Americans rely on coal power plants.

Hydroelectric power plants and coal power plants function very similarly. They both use a form of energy to turn turbines. The turbines, which look very similar to propellers, then turn a metal shaft located in an electric generator, which then produces electricity.

A coal power plant uses steam to power the turbine, while a hydroelectric plant uses the motion of falling water. In order for a hydroelectric power plant to work well, it must be built where there are large drops in elevation. The Andes Mountains are a perfect fit. Dams are built on large rivers so that a lot of water can be stored in a reservoir. Turbines at the base of the dam are turned by water traveling through tunnels. The turning turbines then power the generator that is connected to power lines. These power lines carry the electricity to our homes and businesses.

Ecuador has relied on hydroelectric power since the 1970’s. However, between 1976 and 1985, there was a rapid increase in the demand for electricity. During this same period, there was a major switch from oil fired thermal plants to hydroelectric power generation. In 1986 the total generation capacity was 1,802 megawatts, which was still not meeting the needs of the country. In that same year, 70% of electricity came from hydroelectric power.

Ecuador has experienced many problems with hydroelectric powered electricity. Because hydroelectric power plants rely on water level, droughts create nation wide blackouts for up to weeks at a time. Once the plants produce the energy, the energy is then sent to a centerboard where it is distributed throughout the country. Energy is managed through the Ecuadorian government. These blackouts are a large enough problem that the issue is often one of the top subjects of political campaigns.

Additionally, hydroelectric power is still not meeting the demands of the country. A little bit more than 80% of urban dwellers have electricity and roughly 70% of rural folks have access to electricity. Because of the blackouts and the demand, Ecuador is currently purchasing energy from Colombia.

Ecuador’s future goal is to increase hydroelectric power so that the country can meet the needs of their citizens without blackouts. Ecuador does not want to rely on neighboring countries, nor do they want to increase fossil fuel consumption. Interestingly, Ecuador is one of Latin America’s largest oil exporters, approximately at 305,000 barrels per day.

Currently, the country is working on two large hydroelectric projects. The first of these projects, Toachi Hidreoelectrico Pilatón, plans to oversee the construction and operation of two hydroelectric power stations. The second, Coca-Codo Sinclair Hydroelectric plant, is a 1.97 billion dollar project.

Due to road, building and dam construction for these projects, surrounding wilderness will be destroyed and a number of residents will have to be relocated. In addition, the finished dam will further disrupt aquatic life. While these factors are devastating, hydroelectricity is considered a renewable resource and is believed to produce fewer emissions than coal or oil fired power plants.

Discussion Questions:

1) Do you think that building two new hydroelectric projects is the answer for Ecuador’s electricity demands?

2) What are some environmental factors to consider?

3) What are some social factors to consider?

4) What are some economic factors to consider?

5) What does “renewable resource” mean to you?

6) Do you think the United States should consider using more hydroelectricity as an alternative to coal powered electricity? If so, why?