Ecuador Energy Information

Ecuador Energy Research

- Ecuador's Energy & Climate Policy Framework: Ecuador aims for 91% renewable energy in its power mix by 2032, with policies focusing on energy security, efficiency, and sustainable development. The Ministry of Energy and Mines oversees energy policy, while ARCERNNR regulates the sector. Electricity, oil, and gas markets are governed by specific laws and reforms to boost private investment and reduce reliance on imports. Renewable energy targets are ambitious, with recent tenders securing significant private investments. Energy efficiency measures, including electric mobility, are being promoted to reduce demand. Ecuador also targets a 7-15% reduction in GHG emissions by 2035, with long-term climate mitigation plans in place.

- Ecuador's Energy Companies: CELEC dominates Ecuador's electricity sector, producing 72% of power and operating the transmission system. Petroecuador leads oil production, with foreign firms also active. Legal disputes with international companies have been resolved.

- Ecuador's Energy Supply & Demand: Ecuador has significant oil reserves and relies heavily on hydropower for electricity, with oil dominating its energy mix. Despite recent growth, per capita energy consumption remains below the South American average. Hydropower fluctuations impact supply, and the country imports refined oil products due to insufficient refining capacity. Gas production is low, with high venting and flaring rates. GHG emissions have risen, driven by fuel combustion.

- Ecuador's Energy Use & Price by Sector: Since 2021, final energy consumption has risen by 5% annually, driven largely by the transport sector, which accounts for 57% of total demand. Oil remains dominant, though electricity's share has grown. Industry and residential/commercial sectors show stable consumption patterns. Energy prices have remained relatively stable, with some fluctuations in transport fuels due to subsidy adjustments.

- Ecuador's Issues & Prospects: Ecuador plans to boost electricity capacity by 4.1-4.8% annually until 2032, with 90% from renewables, including hydro, solar, and wind projects. The government aims to end energy imports and encourage local firms' participation.

Ecuador Total Energy Production & Consumption

After a 17% fall in 2020, total primary energy consumption increased by 6.5%/year on average since then, reaching 16.3 Mtoe in 2024. Previously, it grew by 2%/year on average over 2010-2019. Primary energy consumption per capita reached 0.9 toe/capita in 2024, a level 40% below the South American average.

The first energy source of the country, oil, has seen its share in the total primary energy supply slowly increasing since 2020, from 74% to 80% in 2024. Primary electricity, biomass and gas, represented respectively 13%, 4% and 3% of the energy mix.

Source: Ecuador energy report

Interactive Chart Ecuador Total Energy Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Ecuador Oil Production & Consumption

Oil production remained relatively stable between 2020 and 2024 (-0.2%/year) and stood below 25 Mt. Previously, it increased by 3%/year between 2009 and 2014, following the inauguration of the Panacocha field, and then decreased between 2014 and 2020 (-2.2%/year). Production comes from the east of the country in the Amazon region, with the most productive fields being Shushufindi, Sacha, Auca, and ITT, with productions between 51 and 72 kb/d.

Source: Ecuador energy report

Interactive Chart Ecuador Crude Oil Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Interactive Chart Ecuador Refined Oil Products Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Ecuador Natural Gas Production & Consumption

The country's marketed gas production is low (0.6 bcm in 2024, -30% since 2015) and it has one of the highest venting and flaring rates in the world (about 60% of gross production). Natural gas is extracted from the Amistad field in the Gulf of Guayaquil.

Gas consumption has been decreasing by 4.5%/year since a peak in 2016 to 0.6 bcm in 2024. It is mostly driven by the power sector, which absorbed 72% of total consumption in 2024; the rest going to the hydrocarbon sector and industry (5%).

Graph: Gas Production & Consumption

Source: Ecuador energy report

Interactive Chart Ecuador Gas Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Ecuador Renewable in % Electricity Production

Ecuador has set high targets for renewables development: the Master Electricity Plan 2023-2032projects a share of 91% of renewables in the power capacity mix in 2032 (68% in 2024).

The objective set in the National Plan for Good Living 2017-2021 for a 90% share of electricity generation from renewables (including hydropower) in 2021 has not been achieved (less than 80% reached).

Source: Ecuador energy report

Interactive Chart Ecuador Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Ecuador GHG emissions and CO₂ emissions

In its second NDC (2025), Ecuador aims to reduce its GHG emissions by 7% in 2035 (-8.8 MtCO2e) compared to a reference scenario. This reduction target would be raised to 15% (more than 19 MtCO2e reduction), provided the availability of international support. This conditional scenario would limit total emissions to around 110 MtCO2e (i.e. around 25% above 2022 level according to the latest national inventory).

Source: Ecuador energy report

Interactive Chart Ecuador CO₂ emissions

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data