President Jennifer Simons has convened EBS and SWM for urgent consultations on the possible consequences of El Niño in Suriname. The government wants to prevent changing weather conditions from placing further strain on existing problems with electricity and drinking water.
President Jennifer Simons met with representatives of N.V. Energie Bedrijven Suriname, EBS, and the Surinaamsche Waterleiding Maatschappij, SWM, on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Office of the President. The meeting focused on preparations for the possible effects of El Niño in Suriname on the national energy supply and the delivery of drinking water.
According to the Office of the President, both EBS and SWM have crisis plans. The companies are also working on additional action points to enable them to respond quickly when weather conditions place pressure on the production or distribution of electricity and water. It has not yet been disclosed which specific measures are being considered.
The urgent consultations are taking place at a time when utility services are already under pressure. EBS warned this week that available generating capacity is insufficient to meet the sharply increased demand for electricity at all times. As a result, load shedding has been implemented or announced in parts of the EPAR area.
El Niño in Suriname increases attention to utility services
International climate forecasts give the government additional reason to closely monitor developments. The World Meteorological Organization reports that El Niño will intensify further in 2026 and that parts of northern South America face a greater likelihood of drier conditions. Such forecasts indicate an increased risk, but do not mean that every area will automatically experience the same effects.
For Suriname, this uncertainty is important because part of the electricity supply depends on hydropower. Prolonged lower rainfall may affect water availability while at the same time increasing pressure on other forms of electricity generation. Preparations for El Niño in Suriname must prevent action from being taken only after problems actually arise.
EBS already facing a shortage of available capacity
The current situation at EBS makes preparations even more important. Key News previously reported that load shedding threatens in five districts, after electricity consumption rose more sharply than expected. According to EBS, available generating capacity was already under severe pressure before this increase.
This includes Paramaribo, Para, Wanica, Commewijne and Saramacca. When insufficient generating capacity is available, electricity supply may be interrupted on a rotating basis. The possible effects of El Niño in Suriname therefore come on top of an energy system already facing capacity problems.
The government wants to be prepared before El Niño further increases existing vulnerabilities.
SWM must also prepare for the effects of El Niño in Suriname
SWM is also facing the question of how reliable its services can remain when weather conditions become less favourable. The water utility is tasked with further strengthening production capacity and the pipeline network. Minister David Abiamofo of Natural Resources previously warned that substantial investments are needed to maintain drinking water supplies in the face of growing demand.
A longer dry period could increase the need for thorough preparation. A stable water supply is essential for households, businesses, hospitals and other institutions. SWM is therefore expected to ensure that its crisis plan not only exists on paper, but can also be implemented when water production or distribution comes under additional pressure.
Public to receive further information from EBS and SWM
According to the Office of the President, President Simons emphasized that the public must be informed clearly and in a timely manner. EBS, SWM and the responsible minister will provide further instructions and information on any measures and possible consequences for service delivery.
It is important that citizens know what they can specifically expect if restrictions become necessary. Regarding electricity, this includes timely information about possible interruptions. For drinking water, clarity is needed on availability, quality and any temporary provisions. The government has not yet indicated when the additional action points will be made public.
The coming period will have to show how the crisis plans are translated into concrete measures. Now that El Niño in Suriname is more prominently on the agenda and both utility companies are already facing structural bottlenecks, pressure is increasing to implement not only emergency scenarios but also sustainable solutions for energy and water supply.
