As Ecuador's severe drought continues, power shortages will continue until April, said Jorge Luis Hidalgo, an energy consultant.
For years, experts have urged government officials to boost Ecuador's energy by expanding its solar and wind power and boosting its hydropower plants.
But Hidalgo said that electricity and oil production have made Ecuador's electricity prices among the lowest in the region: residents and businesses pay around the clock. $0.10 per kilowatt houraccording to government estimates.
That lack of funding has led to the private sector investing in other resources, according to Hidalgo.
“Although Ecuador continues to provide energy, this will continue,” he said.
Over the years, as the population has grown, the need for energy has gone up, Hidalgo added. It is a problem President Noboa himself has acknowledged.
In October, he posted a video on social media where he explained that Ecuador currently has lack of energy which varies between 1,000 to 1,400 megawatts.
This means that Ecuador's electricity demand exceeded its production capacity by one-tenth. By the year 2022, the country has managed to create a circle 8,864 megawatts everything.
The shortage has created a political crisis for Noboa, who has faced street protests over the government's lack of power.
The protests come at a difficult time for Noboa. He is expected to be re-elected in 2025, as his current job is to complete the remainder of his predecessor's term.
Protesters in November reached the presidential palace in Quito, chanting, “There is no light. There are no lessons. And do you have the power to ask for re-election?”
By December, Noboa promised to end the government's blackouts. “We will get back to normal life,” he promised.
Earlier, in November, Noboa announced that its management had spent $700m on the maintenance of Ecuador's old power plant, which was designed to support Ecuador's electricity during the rainy season.
Currently, hydroelectric dams are responsible for 70 percent of Ecuador's energy production.
Noboa also agreed with Colombia to continue buying energy from the neighboring country. Earlier this year, Colombia did reduce electricity exports in Ecuador because of its problems with drought.
The government of Ecuador has also brought a floating thermoelectric plant from Turkey that produces 100 megawatts and 23 generators that produce a total of 80 megawatts.
In addition, Noboa has released electricity subsidies to mining companies.
“Mining companies in Ecuador consume more energy than the hospital needs. And yet, their energy has been subsidized by the government,” Noboa he wrote on social media in October. “Helps should go to those who need them the most.”
But the change may come too late for the families most affected by the blackouts, such as the Samuezas.
Since his layoff, his wife has been the breadwinner of the family, working as a treasurer for a manufacturing company. Samueza, meanwhile, is trying to drive for a driving program, which has so far paid him less than minimum wage.
With limited household income, Samueza said the holiday season can come without much fanfare.
But he is hopeful that by the time the new year arrives, the power cuts will be over and the economy will be good enough to find a job.
However, he is frustrated with the government because of the current situation.
“There should be no power outages,” said Samueza. “The government should be prepared for this type of crime, especially since we already experienced the same thing in April and May. The fact that they have not done anything to change it, is an insult to the government.”