According to the minister, the energy interruptions cost the country 72 million dollars per day, which means that between April 16th and the 24th, Ecuador’s lost was of 576 million dollars. “This is quite considerable and unfortunate. We are working to get out,” Luque added.

The figure coincides with what was reported by the president of the Chamber of Industrial and Production, María Paz Jervis, who warned of other non-calculated damages caused by the alteration in the cold chain of food products, sanctions for non-compliance with deliveries, and the loss of customer trust.

Luque, however, reported that the private mining sector will stop consuming 33 megawatts starting tomorrow and for 60 days, and added that the government contracted 37 generation units, which will support the power plants in the provinces of Quevedo and Santa Elena.

Ecuador is suffering a serious energy crisis, with daily outages lasting six hours or more, meanwhile, the Government is putting the blame on the drought, the lack of investment and maintenance in the sector, and the inadequate decisions in recent months.

Last week, the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, dismissed the minister of the sector, Andrea Arrobo, and sued her and 21 other officials for the paralysis of the public service and for allegedly keeping key information hidden.

This Thursday, the National Assembly will impeach Fernando Santos, who was Minister of Energy and Mines during the government of Guillermo Lasso, for failure to fulfill his duties and for having responsibility for the country’s energy crisis.

The groups of the Construye movement and the Social Christian Party also presented a request for impeachment against former Minister Arrobo.

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