Ecuador faces a new fuel leak in the Amazon region, characterized as an “attack” by the energy ministry. This follows a prior spill that has severely affected clean water supplies. While considering shutting down a hydroelectric plant for safety, the government assures that power supply will not be compromised. The energy sector is under scrutiny as sabotage allegations arise amidst ongoing political tensions.
On March 23, 2025, Ecuador’s energy ministry announced the discovery of a new fuel leak in the Amazon region, characterizing it as an “attack”. This incident follows a previous spill that has already impacted hundreds of thousands of individuals. The ministry did not disclose the volume of the latest spill or confirm if it affected the Coca River, which is crucial for the nation’s hydroelectric energy production.
The leak, attributed to sabotage, occurred in the eastern province of Napo, according to the energy ministry’s statement. Last week, the state-owned oil company had previously declared a state of emergency due to an earlier spill in the northwest, which had contaminated multiple rivers and deprived numerous communities of potable water, also being deemed sabotage.
In light of these incidents, the ministry is considering whether to temporarily shut down the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, which contributes a significant 1,100 MW to Ecuador’s national grid, as a protective measure. However, they assured that any temporary outages of the plant would not disrupt the national power supply.
Ecuador has recently contended with significant power outages, lasting up to 14 hours per day in 2024, due to the most severe drought in six decades that critically lowered water levels in hydroelectric reservoirs. The earlier spill, which occurred on March 13, was reportedly caused by a landslide that ruptured a major pipeline, releasing substantial quantities of crude oil into at least five rivers, including the Esmeraldas River, thus jeopardizing clean water for countless residents.
Energy Minister Ines Manzano has condemned the apparency of sabotage targeting the nation’s oil infrastructure. President Daniel Noboa, who has been in office since November 2023, is preparing for a presidential run-off election against leftist competitor Luisa Gonzalez set for April 13.
In summary, Ecuador is grappling with recent fuel leaks attributed to sabotage, affecting both its environment and water supply. The government is addressing the potential impact on vital hydroelectric infrastructure, while ensuring power supply remains unaffected. The situation reflects broader challenges, including the nation’s vulnerability to natural disasters and political implications arising from energy management issues.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
