Ecuador

The Conolophus project is designed to lower diesel consumption on Santa Cruz Island in Galapagos National Park, as well as the adjacent island of Baltra.

The Conolophus project, to be built on Santa Cruz Island in Galapagos National Park, will reduce regional diesel consumption.

A project on Isabela Island in Ecuador’s Galapagos archipelago has given its 3,500 inhabitants energy generated by local resources, including plant oil produced on the continent. Preferable to a logistically challenging and hyper expensive extension of the mainland grid, if the $13 million island system were installed today, it would be cheaper than when it was contracted four years ago.

The final results of the exercise, which attracted 22 participants, will be known on April 15. A 200 MW solar project will be assigned in the auction, with the winning bidder for that facility securing a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Through the procurement exercise, the Ecuadorian government will select wind, solar and mini hydropower projects. Selected developers will be granted a 25-year PPA, while the sole off-taker of the generated energy will be state-owned utility Corporacion Electrica de Ecuador, S.A. (CELEC).

The new rules will enable the microgeneration from solar power generators up to 300 kW for residential users, and 500 kW for industrial users.