High-elevation, Renewable Co-Generation

Ecuador Hydropower Challenges

Ecuador Operating Dams

Ecuador Hydropower Challenges have resulted as extreme, prolonged droughts and floods have effected output and dam health.

The most important hydropower projects in Ecuador include:

  • Paute [Observed Generation: 8,314 GWh/yr] - Completed in 1983 in the Oriente (eastern jungle-side) of the Southern Andes of Ecuador, in the province of Azuay, west of Cuenca, the Paute River hydropower complex (Mazar 170 MW, Molino 1100 MW: 5 x 116 MW  & Sopladora 487 MW: 3 x 163 MW) can provide up to 1,200 MW (or all together 1,757 MW by some estimates) of electricity from Francis Turbines with dam heights of 90-120m (300-400 ft) and volume (1,500-3,500 MCM reservoir capacity). The Paute system once generated 70% of the nation's electrical generating needs. However, due to drought, sedimentation, and lower reservoir levels, recent production has plummeted.
  • Coca Codo Sinclair [Observed Generation: 7,167 GWh/yr] - Completed in 2016 on the Napo River in the central Oriente of Ecuador, construction and environmental issues have plagued this project from the outset. Regressive erosion upstream destroyed the famous San Rafael Falls and now threaten the upper sedimentation reservoir and the village of San Luis. This hydropower project employs 8 Pelton turbines (187.5 MW each) serviced by conduits with a high head of 620m (2,000 ft) to generate up to 1,500 MW.
  • Pastaza (Agoyan & San Francisco) [Observed Generation: 2,325 GWh/yr] - provides an installed capacity of 368MW (160 MW Agoyan and 230 MW - 2 x 115 MW at San Francisco)
  • Delsitanisagua (on the Rio Zamora) - provides 180 MW (3 pelton turbines x 60 MW each). Additional projects numbered 8,9, and 10 are being planned along the Rio Zamora downstream of this project.
  • Daule (Marcel Laniado) [Observed Generation: 717 GWh/yr] - Located near the city of Daule on the Babhoyo River, a tributary to the Guayas River system on the coast, rather than the eastern Amazon side like the prior projects, the Daule hydropower plant was developed in 1988 to great local upheaval. It has an installed capacity of 213 MW (3 x 71 MW).
  • Toachi Pilatón [Observed Generation: 1,120 GWh/yr] - Also on the Pacific side, the Toachi Pilaton station provides 255MW (3 Frances x 68 MW) with a 235 m drop (770 ft).
  • Jubones (Minas San Francisco)  [Observed Generation: 1,213 GWh/yr] - Another smaller Pacific plant, provides 275 MW (3 x 90 MW)