INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Ecuador is taking decisive steps to solve its electricity problems by building its first nuclear power plant
Official government statements confirm the Ministry of Energy has drafted and presented a new law that will regulate building and running
Recent droughts and low rainfall have left the system unable to consistently meet demand, leading to blackouts up to 14 hours long in
Officials plan to start with a small modular nuclear reactor that will produce 300 megawatts, enough power for a city like
Guayaquil.Regulations will ensure safe operation, supervised by national authorities and with technical help from the International Atomic
target to have the first nuclear reactor running by 2029, if international agreements and technical support proceed as planned.Ecuador Bets
on Nuclear Power to Prevent Future Blackouts
(Photo Internet reproduction)Ecuador Eyes Nuclear Energy to Stabilize Power GridThe government already invests billions in new
hydroelectric, solar, wind, and geothermal projects, aiming to triple national power output by 2030.By adding nuclear energy, Ecuador hopes
to avoid the kind of widespread blackouts that hurt public services and businesses last year
National authorities see nuclear power as a way to stabilize prices, guarantee supply, and give the country more control over its future.All
policies follow strict national laws and apply international safety rules
If the project succeeds, Ecuador will become one of the first South American countries to use nuclear power on a large scale.The government
believes that only a stable and varied energy mix can shield the country and its people from the risks of climate and market shocks.
