Ecuadoran government to focus on energy in president Rafael Correa's new term.
| Autor | Saavedra, Luis Angel |
On May 24, Rafael Correa was sworn in for a new four-year term as president (NotiSur, March 15, 2013), promising to emphasize productivity. Until now, he said, the priority has been on social investment. The president's proposed new direction also involves the Asamblea Nacional (AN), since it will have to debate modifications to laws to facilitate investment and enable pending projects such as large-scale mining to move forward.
This is Correa's third presidential term. After winning first in 2006 (NotiSur, Jan 26, 2007), he won again in 2009 after the new Constitution was approved (Oct. 10, 2008), which allowed one reelection but applied only to subsequent elections (NotiSur, May 8, 2009). At this end of this term, Correa will have been in office for 10 years. Although he has indicated that he will retire at the end of this term, he has also said the opposite. "After four years, I will retire from the presidency and from public life. But if these mediocrities from the 'partiocracy' and the media continue bothering me, I will run for re-election again," said Correa in his weekly national broadcast after winning the Feb. 17 election.
"We're moving toward an energy matrix"
The first six years of Correa's presidency were characterized by heavy social investment, especially in educational infrastructure, health, housing, and roads. Investment in assistance programs for persons with disabilities, through Mision Manuela Espejo, led by then vice president Lenfn Moreno, deserves special mention. Moreno, who chose to not accompany Correa in this new term, was replaced by electrical engineer Jorge Glas, who, as minister of nonrenewable resources, was responsible for energy and natural-resource extraction.
Glas said that his office would focus on energy production. He expects the country to produce 93% of its electricity needs and then produce electricity for export. "We will not only cover domestic demand but we will also export energy. We will now be exporters of services," said Glas in taking office alongside President Correa.
The centerpiece of electricity production will be the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric complex, which will meet 47% of the country's electricity needs. In addition to this complex, small hydroelectric plants will be built in several communities, despite residents' opposition, as occurred in San Pablo de Amelf in Ecuador's central highlands.
Glas also said that oil reserves must be increased as well as extraction and refining...
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