Hydropower shortage prompts rationing in Ecuador

Hydropower shortage prompts Ecuador to ration electricity, blackouts hit capital

• On 3:04 pm EST, Thursday November 5, 2009

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) -- Ecuador's electricity minister says hydropower shortages have forced the government to ration electricity. Blackouts have already hit Quito and the Pacific port of Guayaquil.

Electricity Minister Esteban Albornoz says the river feeding the country's main hydroelectric dam is down from 90 to 30 cubic meters per second due to the worst drought in 45 years.

Albornoz said Thursday that electricity to residential areas across the country will be cut by 5 percent on average, though businesses will not be affected.

Electrica Quito's chief executive Carlos Andrade says the capital's electricity will be cut by 10 percent, with rolling blackouts in the afternoons.

Ecuador depends on hydropower for 47.4 percent of its electricity.