Juan Carlos Morales warns of potential power rationing in Colombia's eastern region due to El Niño and maintenance.
Juan Carlos Morales, executive manager of XM, stated that the eastern region of Colombia may face power rationing in the coming months. This situation is driven by the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on water levels in reservoirs and scheduled maintenance programs at the El Guavio and Chivor hydroelectric power plants. Morales noted that the maintenance programs are expected to reduce the output of more than 1,700 megawatts from the system. If the maintenance schedules are not reprogrammed, energy security for the eastern region may be compromised. The country is currently experiencing historic highs in electricity demand, which could surpass 265 GWh per day. The El Niño phenomenon is already generating conditions of lower precipitation and higher temperatures. The Ideam estimates a 69% probability that the phenomenon will reach a 'very strong' intensity. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports a probability higher than 90% of an El Niño phenomenon occurring. Current water reserves are at 79.02%, but levels are not uniform across the country. While reservoirs like El Guavio and Chivor are above 90%, the western region is closer to 50%.
Sources
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XM advierte que podría haber racionamientos de energía en el área oriental
El Espectador
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Sequías en el centro y temporales en el sur: ‘El Niño’ empieza a mostrar sus múltiples caras en América Latina
EL PAÍS
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El Niño apenas empieza a mostrar su fuerza: estas serían las zonas más golpeadas por la sequía y los incendios en Colombia
El Tiempo