Ecuador investigating people who allegedly hid energy supply information

QUITO, April 17 (Reuters) – Ecuador will investigate more than 20 people for allegedly intentionally hiding information about energy supply, the government said on Wednesday as it grapples with a power crisis.

A drought brought on by the El Nino climate phenomenon has affected production at hydro-electric dams, which are Ecuador’s main source of electricity, leading to planned power cuts and energy imports from neighboring Colombia.

President Daniel Noboa declared an energy emergency on Tuesday and named an interim energy minister.

Former minister Andrea Arrobo and other officials allegedly hid information, Noboa’s office said in a statement on Wednesday, including historically low reservoir levels.

The country’s attorney general’s office will investigate 22 people for “paralyzing public services,” the statement added, without giving further detail. It was not immediately possible to reach Arrobo for comment.

In response the government will cover 50% of home electricity bills in April, Noboa’s office said, and suspended the working day on April 18 and April 19, though vital government offices will keep working.

Maintenance work at power plants will require energy rationing, it said, adding a schedule for cuts will be published later on Wednesday. Energy rationing is already taking place, with some cuts lasting more than five hours.

Ecuador’s national assembly in January approved a bill pitched by Noboa to modernize the country’s electricity sector.

Neighbor Colombia is also heavily dependent on hydro-electricity and its capital Bogota has imposed rolling water rationing. (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb Editing by Josie Kao)

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