The San Cristobal project is the implementation of a small 2.4 MW wind farm located near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, one of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. The project activity is integrated with the existing generation system (from the burning of diesel) and the electricity generated from this hybrid system is delivered to the matrix of the island. Thus, the installed wind turbines generate enough power to supply 50% of the annual electricity demand of the island.
With the commissioning of the project part of the combustion of diesel is replaced by a clean source of energy, thereby reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and also avoiding environmental risks associated with the existing system, such as fuel spills. The latter is especially important considering that the islands were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978.
Within the social benefits of the project can find the capacity building within the community in the management, operation and maintenance of the project, and the creation of jobs during construction and operation of the turbines, thus contributing to poverty reduction and local quality of life improvement.