Ecuador-Peru 500 kV Electrical Interconnection Deemed Technically Viable by Former Peru Energy Minister

The Interview

Former Peruvian Energy Minister Carlos Herrera Descalzi told Primicias that a high-voltage electrical interconnection between Ecuador and Peru is "técnicamente viable" (source).

Note: This is expert opinion from a former counterpart-country minister, not a government announcement from either Ecuador or Peru.

Technical Parameters Discussed

Parameter	Figure / Status
Link type	High-voltage: up to 500 kV
Peru installed capacity	>14,000 MW
Peru current demand	~8,000 MW
Peru export headroom	~6,000 MW theoretical
Grid frequency match	Both systems operate at 60 Hz (compatible)
Operational dependencies	"aspectos operativos y de seguridad" to resolve

Strategic Rationale

• Complementary dry seasons. Ecuador's dry season (typically October-February in the Sierra and Amazon headwaters) does not coincide fully with Peru's, creating natural exchange windows.
• Reduction of Colombian dependency. Ecuador has historically imported electricity from Colombia during dry-season stress; Herrera's framing aligns with Noboa-administration interest in diversifying supply away from Colombia amid bilateral trade tensions.
• Peruvian market structure. Peru operates a private-sector electricity generation model with independent system operator — Herrera emphasized efficiency advantages from this structure relative to Ecuador's state-dominated CELEC model.

Context — Ecuador's Supply Situation

• Coca Codo Sinclair transitions to PowerChina O&M in July 2026 (see separate brief)
• 920 MW thermal procurement (CELEC + MAE) underway (see separate brief)
• Colombia interconnection remains operational but complicated by ongoing trade/tariff escalation
• Electricity loss rate runs at ~16% nationally from theft and technical failures

What to Watch

• Government-to-government agreement — conversion from technical-viability framing to a formal memorandum of understanding between Ministry of Environment and Energy (Ecuador) and Ministerio de Energía y Minas (Peru).
• Border infrastructure siting — likely candidates include Zapotillo/Suyo or Macará/La Tina corridors, both in Loja province on the Ecuadorian side.
• Cost estimate disclosure — no capex figure was discussed. Comparable 500 kV interconnections in Latin America have run $200-500M per 500-1,000 km.
• Regulatory framework — the CAN Andean Community has existing electrical exchange protocols; a binational annex would be the likely vehicle.
• Financing — multilateral lenders (IDB, CAF, World Bank) typically co-finance regional interconnections.
• Timeline from MoU to commissioning — typical projects run 4-7 years even after political commitment.

Source: Primicias