The Villonaco III wind project will begin its execution after the signing of an addendum to the contract by the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the company VillonacoEnergy

The following is a machine translation of a release from the General Secretariat of Communications of the Presidency

Quito, Ecuador. – With the purpose of strengthening the country's energy matrix and guaranteeing a sustainable electricity supply for Ecuadorian families, the National Government signed this Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the "Modifying Addendum to the Villonaco III Wind Project concession contract." The signing was carried out by Inés Manzano, Minister of Energy and Mines (e), and Eduardo Mora, country director of VillonacoEnergy, at an event held at the Carondelet Palace.

The Villonaco III Wind Project, which remained paralyzed for years, has been reactivated by this Government through the Ministry of Energy and Mines, thus promoting the transition towards clean energy and the country's energy development. This achievement is the result of joint work between inter-institutional and multidisciplinary teams from the State and private companies.

During the process of preparing the document, negotiation meetings were held to resolve outstanding issues from the previous contract, including the non-subscription of the “trust”. This led to the implementation of a Payment Priority system, ensuring the necessary economic guarantees for the execution of the Villonaco III wind project.

Minister Manzano stressed that “ this megaproject marks a milestone in the energy transition and reaffirms the country's commitment to a future that will consolidate us as a regional leader in sustainable energy .”

The project, which represents an investment of USD 181 million, will include 23 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 110.4 megawatts (MW). It will generate 360.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy per year, enough to supply 30,000 homes and businesses, at a competitive cost of USD 0.06198 per kWh.

Villonaco III will be built in the city of Loja, directly benefiting the cantons of Catamayo and Loja, as well as the parishes of Chuquiribamba, Chantaco and Catamayo. In addition, it will have a positive environmental impact by avoiding the emission of 321,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to removing 5,000 city buses from circulation.

This historic advance consolidates Ecuador as a leader in clean energy, contributing to environmental sustainability, the country's energy security and the generation of more than 900 direct and indirect jobs in the future, in addition to boosting the local and national economy of this New Ecuador.