Air conditioning now accounts for 11% of all electricity consumption in Ecuador, according to the National Electricity Corporation, as rising temperatures and growing demand for cooling place new pressure on the country’s power grid.
The increase has been rapid. In 2023, air conditioning represented less than 6% of national electricity consumption.
Energy consultant and university professor José Sampietro said the explanation is straightforward: Ecuador’s coastal region is getting hotter, and more people are installing air conditioners.
National Meteorologic Institute data shows Ecuador’s average annual temperature has increased by about one degree Celsius since 2022.
In coastal cities such as Guayaquil, Sampietro said residents are experiencing more days with temperatures reaching 32 to 34 degrees Celsius. Combined with humidity, conditions can feel closer to 40 degrees.
The heat has fueled a sharp increase in appliance sales. Sampietro said air-conditioner purchases have risen roughly 25% in recent months.
The trend is adding new strain to Ecuador’s already fragile electrical system.
The country has faced repeated energy problems in recent years, including electricity shortages, blackouts, and concerns about hydroelectric generation during drought periods.
Sampietro warned that growing air-conditioning use may deepen those pressures if authorities fail to account for the rising demand in future energy planning.
“We are already in a crisis situation with electricity, and this puts even greater burden on the power grid,” he said.
The issue is especially important along Ecuador’s coast, where heat and humidity can remain intense for much of the year. As more households and businesses install cooling systems, electricity demand is expected to continue climbing.