Ecuador tells workers to stay home amid energy crisis

[Judi Lynn]

By AFP

Ecuador on Wednesday ordered all public and private workers to stay home for two days as critically low water levels at hydroelectric plants sparked a major power crisis in the country.

President Daniel Noboa decreed “the suspension of the working day” on Thursday and Friday, saying the crisis was a result of “environmental circumstances” but also “unheard-of acts of corruption and negligence.”

The country has been experiencing blackouts of up to six hours. The government has blamed the situation on intentional sabotage from high-level officials who hid the severity of the crisis.

A government statement on Wednesday said the reservoir serving the country’s Mazar hydroelectric dam stood completely empty, while the nearby Paute dam had storage levels of four percent.

More:
https://www.macaubusiness.com/ecuador-tells-workers-to-stay-home-amid-energy-crisis/