The Wind Project has as its main objective to replace in the maximum amount as technically and economically feasible, the existing generation system based on diesel combustion in the San Cristobal Island Galapagos, by a clean energy source based on wind turbines, in order to make use in an optimal condition of this renewable resource and to avoid the environmental risks caused by the current system.
Project Benefits
Specific Project benefits mentioned in the MOU signed between the e8 and Government of Ecuador included:
- Will make Galapagos less dependent on the supply of diesel fuel and will reduce the expenses associated with its delivery for the generation of electricity in Galapagos;
- Will reduce the risks of oil spills associated with transportation and delivery of fuel;
- Will reduce the atmospheric emissions of fossil-fuel emissions and greenhouse gases on a local and global scale;
- Will be an example of multilateral collaboration for mitigation of Climate Change under the aegis of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC);
- Will provide valuable experience for the global promotion of small-scale, power generation and distribution systems with renewable energies;
- Will contribute to the protection of bio-diversity;
- Increase the access of the local population to non-conventional energy;
- Develop public awareness of effective demand side management and energy conservation practices.
Other objectives envisioned by the e8 Project Team include:
- Providing Elecgalapagos, with the operational, technical, environmental and financial knowledge necessary to operate a fleet of wind turbines on a sustained basis;
- The project can be a catalyst for needed environmental improvements to the existing diesel generation plant.
- Demonstrating that if properly developed, operated, and managed, a wind project can co-exist with endangered species, in this case the Galapagos Petrel.
- Provide a road map for the development of wind-diesel hybrid projects on other islands, such as nearby Santa Cruz, Galapagos.
- Establish efficient and effective relationships between the stakeholders at the working level.