Cenace: Electrical System Operating Normally — Mazar at 62.4%, Molino at 50.2%, Daule Peripa at 63%
Current Reservoir Status
As of 4:00 PM, April 27, 2026, Cenace (Centro Nacional de Control de Energía) reported the following:
| Reservoir | Installed Capacity | Generation Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mazar | 170 MW | 62.4% |
| Molino | 1,100 MW | 50.2% |
| Daule Peripa | 213 MW | 63.0% |
Cenace stated that "el sistema eléctrico opera con normalidad" — the electrical system operates normally.
Context
This update follows a 6-meter decline in Mazar's water level between April 1 and April 25 (see Ecuador Brief's previous coverage). The stabilization at 62.4% generation capacity coincides with moderate rainfall recorded on the afternoon of April 27.
Molino — the largest of the three at 1,100 MW installed capacity — is the system's backbone. Its 50.2% generation level means approximately 552 MW of actual output from this facility alone.
Combined snapshot:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total installed capacity (3 reservoirs) | 1,483 MW |
| Estimated current output | ~840 MW |
| National demand peak (April 14) | 5,374 MW |
| Structural deficit | 900–1,000 MW |
Technical staff continue monitoring reservoir conditions continuously.
Assessment
The "operating normally" statement addresses the immediate operational question — the system is not in emergency mode today. It does not address the structural deficit of 900–1,000 MW that leaves the grid vulnerable to demand spikes, prolonged dry periods, or equipment failures.
The May Day long weekend (April 30–May 3) should reduce industrial and commercial demand temporarily, providing a brief buffer. The critical window arrives when dry season reduces hydroelectric inflows — typically beginning June in the Sierra.
What to Watch
- Mazar's trajectory over the next 30 days. The 62.4% reading is adequate but trending. If inflows don't compensate for generation drawdown, the buffer narrows.
- Molino below 50%. Any sustained reading below 50% generation capacity at the 1,100 MW facility signals tightening supply. This is the threshold that triggers operational concern.
- New Energy Minister appointment. The successor to Inés Manzano has not been named. Policy orientation on thermal investment and demand-side management remains unknown.
- Dry season onset timing. Early dry season (May instead of June) would compress the response window significantly.
Source: El Universo, Cenace
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