UPDATE 1-Ecuador starts to reinstate power after outage

(Adds details on energy output)

QUITO Jan 15 (Reuters) - Ecuador started to slowly reinstate power on Thursday after an outage hit more than 70 percent of the South American country, the head of the energy regulator said.

"We are reestablishing power, it will be a gradual process," said Gabriel Arguello, the energy regulatory agency chief. "Now, more than 60 percent of Quito is running."

Ecuador's state oil company, Petroecuador, said it was operating normally after the power outage hit most of Ecuador, including the oil-rich Amazon region.

(Editing by Marguerita Choy)