Cuenca Removes 30 Tons of Obsolete Overhead Cables

Overview

Electric utility Empresa Eléctrica Centrosur has removed a total of 30 tons of unused cables from public spaces in Cuenca. The cleanup effort has been underway for eight months under the entity's 'Adiós tallarines' program, which launched in April 2026.

Confirmed details

The most recent cleanup operation occurred on November 10, 2026, in the Uncovía area in northern Cuenca. Officials from Centrosur joined representatives from 20 telecommunications cable operators to clear obsolete wiring. Work specifically focused on Camino a Patamarca, spanning the section between Avenida del Toril and Paseo Río Machángara.

During the intervention, crews removed discarded cables, which Centrosur stated will be packaged and processed as waste. Active cables remaining on the utility poles are being organized into structured lines and marked with identification tags to improve overhead network safety.

Background

According to figures reported by Centrosur, an estimated 60% to 70% of the city's aerial wiring is currently out of use. The utility company is also preparing a local ordinance to regulate and control overhead lines.

Across its broader service region, Centrosur manages concessions covering 30,000 square kilometers across Azuay, Cañar, and Morona Santiago provinces, maintaining more than 320,000 utility poles within its jurisdiction.

Sources: elmercurio.com.ec.

Image: AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary depiction of the events reported.