Santa cruz, galapagos electricity sector towards a zero fossil fuel Island

Abstract

The Galapagos Islands is one of the world's pristine archipelago. It has been inscribed as an UNESCO World Natural Heritage since 1978 [1]. This archipelago is also well known because Charles Darwin studied the origin of species in these islands. However, it is in great threat due to the main energy source is diesel. Hence, the Ecuadorian government has an initiative called 'Zero fossil fuel in the Galapagos Islands' which aims to reduce diesel consumption by replacing it for renewable energy. In this context this research will show the electricity sector market mix particularly of Santa Cruz island, in order to indicate how much is done and needs to be done to become an island fossil fuel free in electricity generation. It will present a literature review as well as novel information from electricity generated in 2014 by the solar PV power plant of Santa Cruz and a forecasted wind generation of 2014 of Santa Cruz base on wind speeds from a meteorological tower. It concludes that even though the significant efforts of international cooperation to co fund renewable energy projects in order to increase its installed capacity, almost 80% of the electricity is generated by thermoelectric turbines run by diesel.