Ecuador’s shrimp sector warns of combined pressure from higher electricity tariffs and self-generation costs

Ecuador’s shrimp industry faces energy cost pressures on two fronts: higher electricity tariffs for high-voltage consumers and the expense of generating its own power during supply interruptions. The National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) warns that this combination threatens competitiveness and is urging the Government to address electricity prices and supply reliability together.

The Electricity Regulation and Control Agency (ARCONEL) has set average prices of US$0.30 per kWh for the AV1 category and US$0.29 per kWh for AV2, applicable to consumption in October, November and December 2026. The regulator attributes the tariff revision to electricity system contingencies and the country’s hydrological conditions. These rates apply to the specified high-voltage categories rather than to all shrimp farms.

According to CNA, the impact extends beyond businesses directly facing higher electricity bills. Increased costs for input and service suppliers also feed through to shrimp production. The organisation questions the additional burden on consumers that have invested in substations and grid connection infrastructure, and argues that differing tariff increases create distortions between businesses across the supply chain.

Supply interruptions add to these pressures, alongside requirements for businesses to generate their own electricity for periods of at least 48 hours, as reported by CNA. Continuous power is needed to protect shrimp larvae and farmed stocks, maintain feed manufacturing and preserve the cold chain for export products. While outages persist, the organisation is calling for sufficient and timely diesel supplies to sustain on-site generation.

The statement does not quantify the increase in production costs per kilogram of shrimp or document mortality or production losses linked to the restrictions. Its warning focuses on operational risks and the difficulty of scheduling activities when higher electricity costs coincide with an unreliable supply.

CNA is requesting an energy plan with specific measures and deadlines to help businesses organise operations and investment. It also wants approval procedures streamlined so that private companies can bring additional electricity generation capacity online. The organisation considers greater predictability essential to sustaining production, employment and investment throughout the shrimp supply chain.