Proprietary data
Data Center Power & Policy in Ecuador
Every government action on data centers and power in Ecuador that we have verified: moratoriums, grid rules, incentives, tariffs and plans, with the power indicators that drive site selection.
By Amit Jain
Reviewed by Deepti Agrawal
Updated 16 October 2026
In short
As of 16 October 2026, DC Market Insights tracks 6 government actions on data centers and power in Ecuador, 5 of them in force. Ecuador has 1 restriction on new data centers in force: Decree 32: high-voltage customers must have their own generation; CENACE may disconnect them during deficits.
Market snapshot
Ecuador power and policy: key facts
- Grid emission factor: 0.16 kgCO2/kWh (2024). Rank 17 of 22 tracked countries, highest first.
- Latest change: ARCONEL temporary high-voltage tariff: average 0.30 USD/kWh (AV1) and 0.29 USD/kWh (AV2) for Oct to Dec 2026 (Agencia de Regulación y Control de Electricidad (ARCONEL), 30 Sep 2026).
- By type: 3 regulation, 1 power tariff, 1 plan or strategy and 1 restriction.
Power indicators for Ecuador
Latest official figure for each indicator, with earlier years where we have them.
In force now in Ecuador
Restriction (1)
Decree 32: high-voltage customers must have their own generation; CENACE may disconnect them during deficits
Executive Decree 32 (Registro Oficial Supplement 62, 18 June 2025) added Art. 10.1 to the General Regulation of the Electricity Public Service Law (LOSPEE). Customers on high-voltage (AV) tariffs must have generation systems to supply their own demand; surplus may be delivered to the national grid (SNI) only by exception under ARCONEL rules. The grid operator CENACE is the authority that orders the disconnection of high-voltage customers from the SNI during generation deficits or rationing. Press reports give an 18-month deadline that ends on 15 December 2026, covering about 172 companies. Any large data centre on a high-voltage tariff falls under this rule.
18 months to install own generation 18-month deadline (to 15 Dec 2026) and the 172-company count are from press reports (Expreso 19 Jun 2025, Teleamazonas 6 Oct 2026); the regulation text read states the obligation and the disconnection power.
Power tariff (1)
ARCONEL temporary high-voltage tariff: average 0.30 USD/kWh (AV1) and 0.29 USD/kWh (AV2) for Oct to Dec 2026
ARCONEL's board approved a reform of the 2026 tariff level for high-voltage consumers (groups AV1 and AV2): an average price of 30 US cents/kWh for AV1 and 29 US cents/kWh for AV2, applied to consumption in October, November and December 2026. The government says the previous average for this segment was about 12 US cents/kWh; the increase reflects the cost of new thermal generation (power barges) and fuel during the dry season. Residential tariffs do not change.
300 USD/MWh (AV1 average price) AV1 30 cUSD/kWh = 300 USD/MWh; AV2 29 cUSD/kWh = 290 USD/MWh. Resolution number not given in the bulletin. Earlier average about 12 cUSD/kWh (El Universo, 1 Oct 2026).
Regulation (3)
Decree 515: self-supply with surplus injection, Autonomous Energy Districts and fast-track for projects up to 100 MW
Executive Decree 515 (29 September 2026) reforms the General Regulation of the LOSPEE. Consumers and industries may generate their own power and inject surplus into the grid under ARCONEL conditions; Autonomous Energy Districts (Distritos Autónomos Energéticos) can be created for industrial and productive zones, combining generation, storage and local networks (up to 40 years per press reports). Permits are simplified for non-conventional renewable and transition generation up to 100 MW, with preferential price mechanisms. Storage and ancillary services are added, CENACE plans operations on a five-year horizon, and high-voltage customers under the self-generation obligation keep an 18-month period to install it.
100 MW (simplified permits for renewable and Decree text and Registro Oficial publication not read; content from the ministry bulletin (30 Sep 2026) and Teleamazonas summary. Status in force assumed from signature; confirm on next touch.
ARCONEL Regulation 010/2024: distributed generation for self-supply of non-regulated consumers
ARCONEL Regulation 010/2024 (Resolution ARCONEL-020/2024, in force from 19 November 2024) sets the framework for distributed generation used for self-supply by non-regulated consumers (large consumers). Together with Regulation ARCERNNR-003/21 on qualifying large consumers and ARCERNNR-005/21 on self-generators and co-generators, it is the route for a data centre to qualify as a large consumer and run its own plant.
Private generation law: private projects up to 100 MW with ministry authorisation; large consumers may sign bilateral contracts
The Organic Law to Promote Private Initiative in Energy Generation (Registro Oficial 673, Eighth Supplement, 28 October 2024; urgent economic law, in force on publication) reformed the LOSPEE. Projects identified by private developers and not in the Electricity Master Plan can be built at the developer's risk with prior authorisation of the ministry, up to 100 MW for non-conventional renewables and 100 MW for transition energy; larger projects go to a public selection process. Preferential dispatch and price apply only to renewable projects up to 10 MW. Self-supply assets are excluded from reversion to the State, and large consumers with bilateral contracts with generators or self-generators are outside regulated demand.
100 MW (cap for private-initiative projects Same 100 MW cap for non-conventional renewable and for transition-energy projects; preferential dispatch and price only up to 10 MW.
Announced and proposed
Measures that are not yet in force. Status changes when the rule takes effect or is withdrawn.
MINTEL and CAF memorandum to develop data centres and technology free zones
At Digital Summit Latam (26 February 2026) the Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society (MINTEL) signed a memorandum of understanding with CAF, the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. CAF will give technical assistance and fund diagnostic and pre-feasibility studies, with an initial focus on data centres and technology free zones, aimed at bankable projects. Minister Roberto Kury said the government seeks laws that encourage private investment; no data-centre incentive law had been issued by the date of this check.
Timeline of data center and power policy in Ecuador
| Date | Action | Type | Status | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep 2026 | ARCONEL temporary high-voltage tariff: average 0.30 USD/kWh (AV1) and 0.29 USD/kWh (AV2) for Oct to Dec 2026 | Power tariff | In force | Agencia de Regulación y Control de Electricidad (ARCONEL) |
| 29 Sep 2026 | Decree 515: self-supply with surplus injection, Autonomous Energy Districts and fast-track for projects up to 100 MW | Regulation | In force | Presidency of the Republic; Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía; ARCONEL |
| 26 Feb 2026 | MINTEL and CAF memorandum to develop data centres and technology free zones | Plan or strategy | Announced | Ministerio de Telecomunicaciones y de la Sociedad de la Información (MINTEL); CAF |
| 18 Jun 2025 | Decree 32: high-voltage customers must have their own generation; CENACE may disconnect them during deficits | Restriction | In force | Presidency of the Republic; Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía; CENACE; ARCONEL |
| 19 Nov 2024 | ARCONEL Regulation 010/2024: distributed generation for self-supply of non-regulated consumers | Regulation | In force | Agencia de Regulación y Control de Electricidad (ARCONEL) |
| 28 Oct 2024 | Private generation law: private projects up to 100 MW with ministry authorisation; large consumers may sign bilateral contracts | Regulation | In force | National Assembly; Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía; ARCONEL |
How Ecuador compares
Latest official figures for the countries we track.
| Country | Industrial power price | Renewable share | Grid emission factor | Restrictions in force | Incentives in force |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | — | 19.6% (2025) | 0.28 kgCO2/kWh (2022) | 0 | 2 |
| Australia | — | 39% (2025) | — | 0 | 2 |
| Bangladesh | — | 2% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| Belgium | 183 USD/MWh (2025) | 34.3% (2025) | 0.19 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| Brazil | — | 86.8% (2025) | 0.07 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 1 |
| Chile | — | 66% (2025) | 0.24 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 0 |
| Colombia | — | — | 0.22 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 2 |
| Denmark | 134 USD/MWh (2025) | 81.5% (2024) | 0.11 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 1 | 0 |
| Ecuador | — | — | 0.16 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 1 | 0 |
| Finland | 58.4 USD/MWh (2025) | 57% (2024) | 0.03 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 0 |
| France | 104 USD/MWh (2025) | 27% (2025) | 0.02 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 1 |
| Germany | 180 USD/MWh (2025) | 58.8% (2025) | 0.34 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 1 | 0 |
| India | 82.1 USD/MWh (2025) | 28.7% (2026) | 0.68 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 5 |
| Indonesia | 62.9 USD/MWh (2024) | 16.3% (2025) | 0.68 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 1 |
| Ireland | 234 USD/MWh (2025) | 41.3% (2024) | 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 2 | 0 |
| Japan | — | 23.1% (2024) | 0.45 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| Kazakhstan | — | 14.6% (2025) | 0.81 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 0 |
| Malaysia | 105 USD/MWh (2026) | 21% (2025) | 0.74 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 1 | 1 |
| Mexico | — | — | 0.44 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 0 |
| Nepal | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 148 USD/MWh (2025) | 49% (2025) | 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 4 | 0 |
| Pakistan | 97.5 USD/MWh (2026) | 34.7% (2025) | — | 0 | 1 |
| Peru | — | 62.6% (2025) | — | 0 | 1 |
| Russia | — | 17.6% (2025) | — | 2 | 0 |
| Singapore | 189 USD/MWh (2025) | 2.1% (2024) | 0.40 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| South Korea | — | 9.8% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| Sri Lanka | — | 60.2% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| United Arab Emirates | 120 USD/MWh (2026) | 8.8% (2024) | 0.47 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| United Kingdom | 234 USD/MWh (2026) | 52.1% (2025) | 0.15 kgCO2/kWh (2026) | 1 | 1 |
| United States | 86.2 USD/MWh (2025) | 24% (2025) | 0.35 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 83.3 USD/MWh (2026) | 19.4% (2025) | — | 1 | 0 |
Questions
Is there a data center moratorium in Ecuador?
Yes. 1 restriction on new data centers is in force in Ecuador: Decree 32: high-voltage customers must have their own generation; CENACE may disconnect them during deficits.
Where does this data come from?
Each action comes from a page we opened: a law, regulation, gazette notice, ministry or regulator release, grid operator notice or investment agency page, and only when official text is not available a company or trade publication. A second analyst re-opens the source before an item is published. Government sources are linked on the page; all sources come with the Excel data.
What counts as a restriction or moratorium?
A government or grid operator rule that stops, pauses, caps or conditions new data center capacity or grid connections, for a country or a region within it. Proposals are shown as proposed until they take effect.
How are power prices compared?
We use each country’s official statistics for industrial or non-household electricity, converted to US dollars per MWh at the average rate for the year where needed, and show the year and source. Contract prices for data centers can differ.
How often is it updated?
Countries are reviewed on a rolling schedule and changes are added as they are announced. Each item shows the date of the action.
Global capacity
How much data center capacity is installed worldwide?
Installed and forecast capacity in MW by region and country, 2020 to 2035, with low, base and high cases. Updated every quarter.
Choosing a market or a site?
Our analysts prepare country briefings on power, grid access, incentives and permits, with every source, in Excel.