The Universidad Espiritu Santo (UEES) held the conference Will blackouts return?, a space dedicated to examine the current challenges of the energy sector in Ecuador and propose concrete alternatives to overcome the electricity crisis. This event focused on socializing the conclusions of the last Think Tank organized by UEES, in which experts and representatives from different sectors discussed viable solutions in the short and long term.
The conference was attended by prominent figures such as the former Minister of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources, Iván Rodríguez; the former Minister of Telecommunications, Vianna Maino; and the economic analyst Alberto Acosta.
During his speech, Iván Rodríguez explained the structural causes that have led the electricity system to its current state, highlighting the need to make system costs transparent and reform the structure of CENACE. Rodríguez also proposed updating the regulations to facilitate the participation of the private sector in generation, transmission and distribution, in addition to implementing trusts that allow private companies to assume a more active role in energy management.
Vianna Maino stressed that the problem does not lie in reducing consumption, but in making it more efficient. She called for the prioritization of integral investment projects covering generation, sub-transmission and distribution, as well as speeding up the approval of private initiatives by means of adjustments to the regulations. Maino also advocated the promotion of autonomous energy communities and thermoelectric parks managed by the private sector.
In his speech, Alberto Acosta proposed the creation of a wholesale electricity market that facilitates the participation of public, private and mixed investments at all levels of the electricity system. In addition, he pointed out the importance of eliminating regulatory barriers that hinder the entry of private investors, and of eliminating energy subsidies to guarantee the sustainability of the sector.
The conference allowed students and citizens to better understand the current situation of the electricity system and the measures needed to avoid future blackouts. With this type of initiative, UEES reinforces its commitment to generate spaces for dialogue and proposals that contribute to the sustainable development of Ecuador.
