Celec EP identifies 33 power plants at risk from El Niño, activates protection plan

Ecuador's state-owned electricity corporation, Celec EP, has activated a national plan to safeguard its electrical system infrastructure against the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. This "General Plan for Emergencies and Contingencies" identifies vulnerabilities in 33 generation plants, substations, and transmission lines, with a particular focus on the coastal region, which historically experiences severe flooding and landslides during intense rainy seasons.

The strategy integrates preventive actions before the rainy season and response protocols designed to ensure the continuity of electricity services. Celec EP's assessment draws upon data from previous El Niño events in 1972-73, 1982-83, and 1997-98, which caused the most significant damage in areas below 1,500 meters above sea level. Ecuador's power generation capacity, totaling 6,802.42 MW as of August 2025, is primarily derived from 17 hydroelectric plants (69.41%), followed by 49 thermoelectric plants and one wind farm.

The plan's diagnosis highlights the coastal region as the most susceptible to flooding due to factors like proximity to rivers, sediment accumulation, and blocked riverbeds, which impede drainage and increase overflow risks. As part of its preparation phase, Celec EP will conduct maintenance on civil infrastructure, geological monitoring at generation plants, and assess access routes. The company will also verify the operational status of emergency generators and update procedures for plant shutdowns and restarts during emergencies.

Twelve of Ecuador's seventeen hydroelectric plants face potential risks. The Marcel Laniado and Baba plants, managed by Hidronación, are at risk of flooding affecting access and infrastructure due to increased river flows, with the possibility of large landslides causing waves that threaten dam safety. Ten other hydroelectric plants, including Mazar, Molino, Sopladora, Minas San Francisco, Delsitanisagua, the Toachi-Pilatón Complex, Coca Codo Sinclair, and Manduriacu, are threatened by landslides, earth movements, mudflows, and floods.

Furthermore, the analysis addresses potential impacts on at least 21 thermoelectric plants. Facilities like Gonzalo Zevallos, Aníbal Saltos, and Álvaro Tinajero are among those considered vulnerable.