Milestone-Proposal:Loja Hydroelectric Plant, 1899
To see comments, or add a comment to this discussion, click here.
Docket #:2025-02
This is a draft proposal, that has not yet been submitted. To submit this proposal, click on the edit button in toolbar above, indicated by an icon displaying a pencil on paper. At the bottom of the form, check the box that says "Submit this proposal to the IEEE History Committee for review. Only check this when the proposal is finished" and save the page.
To the proposer’s knowledge, is this achievement subject to litigation? No
Is the achievement you are proposing more than 25 years old? Yes
Is the achievement you are proposing within IEEE’s designated fields as defined by IEEE Bylaw I-104.11, namely: Engineering, Computer Sciences and Information Technology, Physical Sciences, Biological and Medical Sciences, Mathematics, Technical Communications, Education, Management, and Law and Policy. Yes
Did the achievement provide a meaningful benefit for humanity? Yes
Was it of at least regional importance? Yes
Has an IEEE Organizational Unit agreed to pay for the milestone plaque(s)? Yes
Has the IEEE Section(s) in which the plaque(s) will be located agreed to arrange the dedication ceremony? Yes
Has the IEEE Section in which the milestone is located agreed to take responsibility for the plaque after it is dedicated? Yes
Has the owner of the site agreed to have it designated as an IEEE Milestone? Yes
Year or range of years in which the achievement occurred:
1899
Title of the proposed milestone:
Loja Hydroelectric Plant, 1899
Plaque citation summarizing the achievement and its significance; if personal name(s) are included, such name(s) must follow the achievement itself in the citation wording: Text absolutely limited by plaque dimensions to 70 words; 60 is preferable for aesthetic reasons.
The Loja Hydroelectric Plant was the first in Ecuador and a pioneer in South America for utilizing renewable energy from water resources. Built by Alberto Rhor and supported by local entrepreneurs, it supplied electricity for public lighting and industry, transforming Loja into a center of innovation. This milestone marked the beginning of Ecuador's electrification, contributing to the region’s urban and industrial development.
200-250 word abstract describing the significance of the technical achievement being proposed, the person(s) involved, historical context, humanitarian and social impact, as well as any possible controversies the advocate might need to review.
The inauguration of the Loja Hydroelectric Plant in 1899 marked a historic milestone as Ecuador's first commercial hydroelectric facility. Unlike other South American countries where electricity was introduced earlier and centered around political or economic hubs, Loja—a small city in southern Ecuador—became the unlikely pioneer of electrification in the country. The project was spearheaded by Alberto Rhor, a French engineer, and supported by visionary Loja residents, José Miguel Burneo and Ramón Eguiguren. They founded the Electric Light Society in 1897, securing the financial and logistical resources needed to undertake the project.
Harnessing the renewable hydropower potential of the Malacatos River, the plant provided public lighting, powered industrial machines such as grain mills and sawmills, and improved the quality of life in Loja. The use of innovative Pelton turbines and imported Sautter Harlé dynamos exemplified cutting-edge technology for the time. This achievement demonstrated Ecuador's early commitment to sustainable energy.
The plant’s success catalyzed further hydroelectric developments across the nation, despite initial logistical challenges such as transporting equipment by mule through mountainous terrain. It also fostered urban expansion in Loja, reinforcing its strategic importance in Ecuador's industrial and social development.
Although no major controversies are reported, advocates may review the socio-economic exclusivity of early electrification, as initial beneficiaries were limited to society members and key institutions. The plant remains a testament to engineering ingenuity and regional ambition, showcasing the transformative power of renewable energy in Latin America.
IEEE technical societies and technical councils within whose fields of interest the Milestone proposal resides.
IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES)
In what IEEE section(s) does it reside?
Ecuador
IEEE Organizational Unit(s) which have agreed to sponsor the Milestone:
IEEE Organizational Unit(s) paying for milestone plaque(s):
Unit: IEEE Ecuador Section
Senior Officer Name: David Rivas
IEEE Organizational Unit(s) arranging the dedication ceremony:
Unit: IEEE Ecuador Section
Senior Officer Name: David Rivas
IEEE section(s) monitoring the plaque(s):
IEEE Section: IEEE Ecuador Section
IEEE Section Chair name: David Rivas
Milestone proposer(s):
Proposer name: Ronny Cabrera
Proposer email: Proposer's email masked to public
Please note: your email address and contact information will be masked on the website for privacy reasons. Only IEEE History Center Staff will be able to view the email address.
Street address(es) and GPS coordinates in decimal form of the intended milestone plaque site(s):
Location: Monument to the first power plant in Ecuador, Loja, Ecuador.
Coordinates: -3.996636, -79.206855
Describe briefly the intended site(s) of the milestone plaque(s). The intended site(s) must have a direct connection with the achievement (e.g. where developed, invented, tested, demonstrated, installed, or operated, etc.). A museum where a device or example of the technology is displayed, or the university where the inventor studied, are not, in themselves, sufficient connection for a milestone plaque.
Please give the address(es) of the plaque site(s) (GPS coordinates if you have them). Also please give the details of the mounting, i.e. on the outside of the building, in the ground floor entrance hall, on a plinth on the grounds, etc. If visitors to the plaque site will need to go through security, or make an appointment, please give the contact information visitors will need. The intended site for the milestone plaque is the monument located at the historical site where Ecuador's first hydroelectric plant, the Loja Hydroelectric Plant, began operations in 1899. This location holds direct significance as it marks the exact spot where the plant was constructed and operated, representing the birthplace of electricity generation in Ecuador. The site preserves original components of the plant, connecting it authentically to the achievement being commemorated.
Are the original buildings extant?
No, the original buildings are no longer extant. However, the monument at the site preserves turbines and pipelines used in Ecuador's first hydroelectric plant. Additionally, at the building of the Empresa Eléctrica Regional del Sur, original components such as dynamos, Pelton wheels, voltmeters, and other accessories from the plant are exhibited.
Details of the plaque mounting:
The plaque will be mounted on the monument constructed at the site, next to the turbine, where other commemorative plaques have also been placed.
How is the site protected/secured, and in what ways is it accessible to the public?
The site is a public location, accessible to everyone without the need for prior appointments. As a public space, it is safeguarded by the city police to ensure its protection.
Who is the present owner of the site(s)?
The Municipality of Loja
What is the historical significance of the work (its technological, scientific, or social importance)? If personal names are included in citation, include detailed support at the end of this section preceded by "Justification for Inclusion of Name(s)". (see section 6 of Milestone Guidelines)
The Loja Hydroelectric Plant, inaugurated in 1899, marks a pivotal moment in Ecuador's history as the country's first commercial hydroelectric plant. Its construction symbolized the introduction of electricity in Ecuador, making Loja the first city in the nation to implement electric lighting. Technologically, it showcased the innovative use of renewable hydropower at a time when most neighboring countries relied on non-renewable energy sources like steam engines. This milestone not only highlighted the potential of Ecuador's abundant water resources but also served as a catalyst for subsequent electrification efforts across the country.
The social and economic impact was profound. The plant improved the quality of life in Loja by enabling public and private electric lighting, enhancing productivity, and supporting industrial activities like grain milling and woodworking. The project demonstrated the vision of Alberto Rhor, a French engineer, and the determination of Loja’s local leaders, including José Miguel Burneo and Ramón Eguiguren, who spearheaded its implementation through the Sociedad Luz Eléctrica. Their collaborative efforts established a model for private and public investment in infrastructure.
This achievement underscored the transformative power of electricity in fostering urban growth and modernization, making the Loja Hydroelectric Plant a cornerstone of Ecuador’s technological and social development. Its legacy continues to inspire innovation and regional progress.
What obstacles (technical, political, geographic) needed to be overcome?
The development of the Loja Hydroelectric Plant in 1899 faced numerous obstacles spanning technical, geographic, and financial domains. One of the primary challenges was the transportation of machinery and equipment from Europe. The equipment, including two dynamos manufactured in France, had to be shipped to the Peruvian port of Paita, dismantled, and transported overland on muleback through challenging Andean terrain to reach Loja. This logistical feat required meticulous planning and significant effort given the lack of modern transportation infrastructure.
From a financial perspective, the project relied on significant private investment, spearheaded by local entrepreneurs and facilitated by the Sociedad Luz Eléctrica. The initial capital of 16,000 sucres (equivalent to approximately 1,600 USD at the time) was raised through contributions from local investors, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to a shared vision despite the economic limitations of a small city like Loja.
Geographically, the plant's location required innovative engineering to harness the hydropower potential of the Malacatos River. A 2.5-kilometer canal was constructed to direct water to a storage tank and through metal pipes to the turbines. The uneven terrain and the precision needed for the water flow posed considerable technical challenges, which were addressed through the expertise of the French engineer Alberto Rhor and local collaborators.
These obstacles highlight the ingenuity, resilience, and collaborative spirit that made Ecuador's first hydroelectric plant a reality.
What features set this work apart from similar achievements?
The work on the first hydroelectric power plant in Ecuador is distinguished by several notable features:
1. Location in a smaller city: Unlike the first power plants in other South American countries, which were typically established in major urban centers or political and economic hubs, the first power plant in Ecuador was inaugurated in Loja, a smaller city. This highlights the importance of electrification in regions outside of major urban areas, showcasing a more inclusive approach to energy access .
2. Use of renewable energy: The Loja power plant utilized renewable energy sources, specifically harnessing the water resources of the Malacatos River. This contrasts with many other countries at the time, which relied on non-renewable sources and steam engines for electricity generation. The choice of renewable energy from the outset reflects a conscious and sustainable approach to electricity generation in Ecuador .
Why was the achievement successful and impactful?
The success of the Loja Hydroelectric Plant, inaugurated in 1899, was due to the combination of innovative engineering, visionary leadership, and local collaboration. French engineer Alberto Rhor and local entrepreneurs José Miguel Burneo and Ramón Eguiguren overcame logistical, geographic, and technical challenges, including transporting equipment through the Andes and designing a system to harness the Malacatos River's hydropower. The plant became Ecuador's first hydroelectric facility, providing electricity for public lighting, industrial operations, and domestic use, significantly enhancing the quality of life in Loja.
Its impact extended beyond Loja, serving as a model for sustainable energy development in Ecuador. By using renewable hydropower, the plant showcased the viability of clean energy resources in a country abundant in water systems, setting a precedent for future energy projects. This milestone also highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing technological infrastructure during a time when electricity was still a novel innovation in much of South America.
Supporting texts and citations to establish the dates, location, and importance of the achievement: Minimum of five (5), but as many as needed to support the milestone, such as patents, contemporary newspaper articles, journal articles, or chapters in scholarly books. 'Scholarly' is defined as peer-reviewed, with references, and published. You must supply the texts or excerpts themselves, not just the references. At least one of the references must be from a scholarly book or journal article. All supporting materials must be in English, or accompanied by an English translation.
Supporting materials (supported formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG, PDF, DOC): All supporting materials must be in English, or if not in English, accompanied by an English translation. You must supply the texts or excerpts themselves, not just the references. For documents that are copyright-encumbered, or which you do not have rights to post, email the documents themselves to ieee-history@ieee.org. Please see the Milestone Program Guidelines for more information.
Please email a jpeg or PDF a letter in English, or with English translation, from the site owner(s) giving permission to place IEEE milestone plaque on the property, and a letter (or forwarded email) from the appropriate Section Chair supporting the Milestone application to ieee-history@ieee.org with the subject line "Attention: Milestone Administrator." Note that there are multiple texts of the letter depending on whether an IEEE organizational unit other than the section will be paying for the plaque(s).
Please recommend reviewers by emailing their names and email addresses to ieee-history@ieee.org. Please include the docket number and brief title of your proposal in the subject line of all emails.
