The San Cristobal Wind Project seeks to install a wind-diesel hybrid system on San Cristobal Island - Galapagos, Ecuador to reduce the amount of diesel fuel currently used in power generation and to promote the introduction of renewables into the Galapagos Islands in coordination with a UNDP Umbrella Program.
The Wind Project has as its main objective to replace, as much as technically and economically feasible, the existing diesel combustion generated power with a clean energy source based on wind turbines, in order to make optimal use of this renewable resource and to avoid the environmental risks caused by the current system.
The Wind Project is being implemented by members of the e8 in partnership with the local electric utility in the Galapagos, Empresa Electrica Provincial Galapagos Elecgalapagos S.A.
The E8 COMPANIES are members, together with other companies, of an organization headquartered in Montreal, Canada, composed of electricity companies that operate in the national territories of the G8 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, Russian Federation and the United States). The E8 COMPANIES consider environmental conservation among their highest corporate priorities and, therefore, support the concept of Sustainable Development.
WALSH Environmental Scientists and Engineers conducted the Definitive Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) for E8, which was approved by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment and CONELEC in 2004.
Funding of the Wind Project has been made available on a donation basis by the e8 members and the United Nations Foundation. Funding is also being provided by the Government of Ecuador.
The e8 Companies and Elecgalapagos are establishing the FIDEICOMISO MERCANTIL PROYECTO EÓLICO SAN CRISTÓBAL, the San Cristóbal Wind Project Commercial Trust to oversee the Construction and operation of the San Cristobal Wind Project.
On September 29, 2005 a Project Document was signed between the United Nations Development Program, Government of Ecuador, and San Cristobal Wind Project Commercial Trust.
Industry and Energy Associates (IEA), LLC, a consultancy locaded in Portland, Maine, USA is providing Project Director services for the project.
