Ecuador to raise electricity costs for industry
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In Ecuador, Minister Juan Carlos Blum announced that industries consuming high-voltage electricity will pay new rates starting October 1, 2026.
Currently, these large consumers in segments AV1 and AV2 pay 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), but this does not reflect the actual cost of electricity. Blum explained that the new rates will account for generation costs, including those from barges and fuel, as well as sector operating conditions.
The ministry expects the new rates to fall between 25 and 40 cents per kWh. To communicate the change, the Ministry of Environment and Energy has met with industry representatives from Guayaquil, Pichincha, and Duran, and plans to meet with the Cuenca chamber of industries. Blum also noted Ecuador has previously paid as much as one dollar per kWh to Colombia for electricity supply.
Beginning December 15, industries will also be responsible for the rental costs of barges dedicated to their energy supply. Companies that do not agree to the new conditions will be disconnected from the National Interconnected System (SNI). As part of a related effort to control demand, 185 companies have already agreed to temporarily reduce their energy consumption one day per week, aiming to lower daily use by around 1 GWh.
