A nationwide blackout struck Ecuador on Wednesday, leaving the entire country without power after a failure in an energy transmission line. The government announced efforts to restore power and repair the faulty lines.
The failure, reported by Ecuador's National Electricity Operator, triggered a "cascade disconnection," causing a widespread loss of electricity service. The outage lasted for 20 minutes in some areas, but media reports and social media accounts indicated that power remained down in many cities.
Ecuador Plunged into Darkness Due to Energy Transmission Line Failure
Emilia Cevallos, a waitress in Quito, expressed surprise at the sudden blackout. She observed that while some businesses relied on generators, most were left without electricity, including traffic lights, leading to traffic disruptions.
The Quito municipality deployed traffic agents to manage the flow of cars, while Quito Metro suspended subway service due to the electrical failure.
Ecuador Plunged into Darkness Due to Energy Transmission Line Failure
Last year, Ecuador faced an electricity generation crisis that necessitated rationing throughout the country. In April, the government began rationing power in major cities due to a drought linked to El Niño, which depleted reservoirs and reduced output from hydroelectric plants that generate 75% of Ecuador's power.
Reports from residents and media outlets suggested that the blackout caused inconvenience and disruption.
One resident, Carlos Rodriguez, said that the outage halted his work and prevented him from using appliances.
"I was in the middle of an important project when the lights went out. I've been trying to call the power company, but I can't get through," he said.
Another resident, Maria Martinez, expressed concern about food spoilage. "I have a lot of food in my refrigerator that I'm worried about," she said. "I don't know how long this outage will last."
The government urged residents to stay calm and conserve energy while efforts were underway to restore power. Officials did not provide a timeline for the repair of the transmission line or the restoration of electrical service.
Ecuador's energy infrastructure has been strained in recent months, leading to frequent power outages. The country relies heavily on hydroelectric power, but droughts and aging infrastructure have contributed to supply disruptions.
As the blackout continued, residents shared updates and experiences on social media. Some expressed frustration over the lack of information, while others offered support and shared tips for staying safe. The hashtag #ApagonEcuador trended on Twitter as people discussed the situation.
