ARCONEL sets compensation for emergency generators for the 2026-2027 period

The Electricity Regulation and Control Agency (ARCONEL) has set the Compensation Item for Energy Generated by Emergency Generator Sets (RCEGEE) to be recognized for emergency generators in the electricity sector. The decision is contained in Resolution No. ARCONEL-ARCONEL-2026-0030-RES, signed in Quito on September 14, 2026, and published in the Third Supplement No. 370 of the Official Registry on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, page 25.

The resolution, signed by Dr. Augusto Fabricio Porras Ortiz, Acting Executive Director of ARCONEL, establishes the values of the item for the period between September 12 and October 11, 2026, as well as the operation and maintenance costs and fuel transport costs that will govern during the following year.

Regulatory Framework and Background

The measure is framed within Regulation No. ARCONEL-002/26 “Technical-Commercial Operation of Generator Sets during Emergency Schemes in the Electric Power System,” issued via Resolution No. ARCONEL-006/2026 on April 29, 2026. Its Annex G establishes that the RCEGEE is calculated using the equation RCEGEE = CO&M + CC + CTC, where:

• CO&M (cUSD/kWh): operation and maintenance cost, excluding fuel, updated annually until September.
• CC (cUSD/kWh): fuel cost, updated monthly according to publications by EP Petroecuador.
• CTC (cUSD/kWh): fuel transport cost, updated annually until September.

The calculation is based on Report No. INF-DTRET-2026-074, prepared by the Technical Directorate of Economic Regulation and Tariffs (DTRET), and the favorable legal report issued via memorandum ARCONEL-CJ-2026-0224-ME, both dated September 14, 2026.

Compensation Item Values

The resolution determines the RCEGEE for the period September 12 - October 11, 2026, with differentiated rates according to the type of fuel and the installed capacity of the generator set (less than or greater than or equal to 100 kW), expressed in cents of a dollar per kWh:

• Diesel 1 and 2: 36.21 ¢USD/kWh (less than 100 kW) and 40.23 ¢USD/kWh (100 kW or more).
• Premium Diesel: 40.65 ¢USD/kWh and 44.68 ¢USD/kWh.
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): 30.03 ¢USD/kWh and 34.05 ¢USD/kWh.
• Fuel Oil No. 4: 18.45 ¢USD/kWh and 22.47 ¢USD/kWh.
• Fuel Oil No. 6: 18.13 ¢USD/kWh and 22.16 ¢USD/kWh.

Additionally, the operation and maintenance cost (CO&M) is set at 4.02 ¢USD/kWh and the fuel transport cost (CTC) at 1.32 ¢USD/kWh, values that will govern for the period between September 12, 2026, and September 11, 2027. The fuel cost (CC) will be updated monthly according to the prices published by EP Petroecuador.

Scope and Validity

The resolution responds to the framework enabled by Ministerial Agreement No. MAE-VEER-2026-0001-AM of March 4, 2026, which allows the National Electricity Operator (CENACE) to activate the operation of emergency generator sets in the event of power or energy deficits, network problems, or other contingencies. The regulation applies to both regulated and non-regulated consumers, whether owners or tenants of generator sets with a minimum nominal power of 100 kW.

The resolution entered into force upon its signing, without prejudice to its publication in the Official Registry. In accordance with Regulation No. ARCONEL-002/26, ARCONEL will monthly issue the resolution for the calculation of the RCEGEE, and the values will be published on its institutional website as the official consultation channel.

Source: Official Registry of Ecuador, Third Supplement No. 370, September 16, 2026, p. 25 (official reference: Resolution No. ARCONEL-ARCONEL-2026-0030-RES).