DistantNews
Support us
🇪🇨 Ecuador /Energy & Infrastructure

Ecuador's Mazar Hydroelectric Plant Restarts Early After Maintenance

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Ecuador's Mazar hydroelectric plant has resumed full operations three days ahead of schedule following preventive maintenance.
  • The maintenance, completed on July 26, 2026, was part of a plan to ensure the plant's reliability and prepare for potential effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
  • The Mazar plant, with a capacity of 170 MW across two units, is a key component of the Paute Integral Hydroelectric Complex and holds Ecuador's largest energy reserve in its reservoir.

Ecuador's Mazar hydroelectric plant is now operating at 100% capacity after its preventive maintenance was completed three days earlier than planned. The plant was successfully reintegrated into the National Interconnected System on July 26, 2026.

The maintenance work, which began on July 14, was executed by the Celec SUR Business Unit. The intervention focused on a unit with a 85 MW capacity after it completed 8,000 hours of continuous operation. Specialized tasks included a thorough inspection, technical cleaning, precise calibrations, and functional tests of its electrical, mechanical, and electronic systems. Key components in the turbine, generator, and transformers were also replaced to ensure long-term operational reliability.

During the maintenance period, the Electric Corporation assured the public that the national energy supply remained uninterrupted. This was achieved through the coordinated operation of the plant's remaining units and the support of other generation facilities, maintaining the stability of the National Interconnected System.

These maintenance efforts are part of Celec EP's annual plan, developed in conjunction with the National Electricity Operator (Cenace). More significantly, these works are prioritized by the national government as a strategic measure to prepare for the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. The goal is to ensure Ecuador's national infrastructure possesses the necessary resilience to manage anticipated water and operational challenges in the coming months, thereby guaranteeing a robust electricity service for citizens.

The Mazar Hydroelectric Plant is a vital part of the Paute Integral Hydroelectric Complex, which collectively contributes 1,757 MW to the country's energy grid. The Mazar plant itself has a total capacity of 170 MW, divided between its two 85 MW units. Beyond its generation role, the plant houses the Mazar reservoir, which serves as Ecuador's largest energy reserve and plays a crucial role in water resource regulation.

La Corporación Eléctrica aseguró que el abastecimiento de energía a escala nacional no sufrió interrupciones.

— Corporación EléctricaReassuring the public about energy supply continuity during maintenance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog