Challenges Faced by Ecuador Due to Climate Change and Reliance on Hydropower

Ecuador heavily relies on hydroelectricity for almost 80% of its power, facing challenges with decreased rainfall attributed to climate change and the negative impact it has on energy generation. Climate change-induced extreme variability in precipitation is rendering hydropower less reliable, leading to energy shortages especially during droughts. This vulnerability is worsened by increased temperatures, population growth, and reduced water levels in reservoirs, with hydroplants experiencing decreased production, like in Western US and China's Sichuan Province.