Renewable Energies for Galápagos

Duration: 2006 – 2007 ● Client: KfW ● WIP Role: Research and Innovation

Aim of the project was to reduce the environmental risks related to the management and the utilisation of fossil fuels on two islands of the Galápagos archipelago, to reduce the energy consumption and to increase the efficiency of electricity generation (1) via the improvement of the existing systems for fuel management and the modernisation of the power centrals and (2) via the installation of solar photovoltaic power stations.

Santa Cruz and Isabela are the two largest Islands of the archipelago and are populated with around 17.000 inhabitants (Santa Cruz) and with 2.000 inhabitants (Isabela). Continental Ecuador is 1.000 km away from the islands.

The project started in April 2006 and WIPs consultancy contract ended in November 2007. The work was financed by the German bank for development, the KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau). On the islands the Government controlled semi private local utility of Galápagos, EEPG (Empresa Eléctrica Provincial Galápagos ELECGALÁPAGOS S.A.) was responsible for project implementation.

By the end of the project WIP had prepared the tendering documents for two new diesel stations, had launched and evaluated the respective tenders and was ready to contract the respective measure. Also, a proposal for a grid integrated 270 kW PV plant to supply a significant part of the Isabela island electricity during day time had been elaborated.

During the whole duration of the project WIP was represented on Galápagos with an own office in the town of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz.