Rain Boosts Hydro Generation -- Ecuador

Cenace exported 80MW/h on Monday, which represents earnings of US$21,600 for local generators with Colombian distributors paying Ecuadorian generators US$0.03 - 0.032/kWh.

The line, which has been operating since March 1, was previously only exporting power from Colombia to Ecuador. The interconnection supplied 13% of Ecuador's national electricity demand in March.

Prices in Ecuador have fallen by 26% since the line started operating on March 1, which represents a saving of US$26.8mn for local distributors in the first month.

For now, Ecuador is only exporting power to Colombia during periods of low domestic demand, but that could change in 10-15 days once line adjustments are completed in the Totoras and Santa Rosa sectors and Ecuador's export capacity increases from 80MW/h to 150MW/h.

Ecuador's major hydro generators are the 1,075MW Paute plant, the 150MW Agoyan plant and the 70MW Pisayambo plant. - (BNamericas.com)