Ecuador is facing severe 10-hour daily blackouts due to reliance on hydropower, worsened by drought.

This is impacting the economy, with projected growth now unlikely, and adding pressure on President Daniel Noboa as he seeks re-election in February.

Noboa, who inherited the crisis, is pushing for increased private investment in energy and a shift to renewable sources, but real changes will take time, Bloomberg has reported.

Blackouts and economic strain are threatening his political future, though his tough stance on crime has kept his popularity stable.

Written by B.C. Begley