Ecuador's Paute Molino hydro plant halts for major maintenance at dry season start

Celec EP announced the Paute Molino hydroelectric unit will undergo its first major maintenance in 20 years, coinciding with the onset of Ecuador's dry season. The outage will reduce available hydro capacity, potentially tightening electricity supply and increasing reliance on thermal generation. The exact capacity loss and duration remain unspecified, raising concerns about grid stability during peak demand.