Análisis de las causas del déficit energético en Ecuador en relación con las políticas económicas en el periodo 2010-2024

Abstract

This article examines the causes of the energy deficit in Ecuador between 2010 and 2024, with emphasis on the contribution of economic policies to the sustainability of the electrical system. Using a qualitative and interpretative methodology, laws, decrees, government reports, and academic studies were reviewed. The findings reveal poor planning of energy infrastructure, excessive reliance on hydroelectric power, and limited investment in alternative sources such as thermoelectric and renewable energy. The policies implemented during the period lacked continuity and long-term vision, which increased the system's vulnerability to climate phenomena. The absence of clear strategies for the maintenance of power plants, combined with restrictions on the private sector and rising public debt, deepened the crisis. The study concludes that there is an urgent need for a more coherent energy policy, with an integrated and sustained approach that promotes diversification, efficiency in public investment, and greater participation from the private sector.