The Government promotes the energy transition for the Galapagos Islands

Energy Evolution, the plan of the National Government, with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was launched this Thursday, May 11, 2023.

In Galapagos there is a project to reach zero carbon.

What does it consist of? It is an energy transition plan in the Galapagos Islands. Seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, it will support the government of Ecuador “to reduce the fiscal impact of subsidies for liquid fuels and electricity through the significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels and the promotion of the introduction of renewable energies in the Archipelago”, according to the document published by the IDB.

According to the text, some fundamental elements of the energy transition plan include the reconfiguration of the electricity generation matrix, the optimization of the final use of energy, the transformation of the electrical infrastructure of the islands, as well as the bets on digitization and automation to convert them on smart islands.
In the same way, he explains, it contemplates taking advantage of carbon markets to finance programs based on communities, ecosystems and nature, promoting the participation of women in the electricity sector and focusing beneficiaries as leaders of the transition process, among others.

“The energy transition is key to the preservation of the environment and the sustainability of the Galapagos, recognized as a Natural Heritage of Humanity and as a Biosphere Reserve. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions protects biodiversity, improves autonomy energy and generates new economic opportunities for the population of the archipelago,” the report added.

Among the main characteristics, he adds, it has the potential to reduce the emission of 130,411 tons of CO2 between 2025 and 2030. “This opens the opportunity to obtain financing from carbon reduction certificates in the carbon markets. It is expected that for Full decarbonization is achieved by 2050, which will require implementing the use of new technologies, the inclusion of new energy sources such as green hydrogen, biomass and geothermal energy, among others,” he points out.

“The IDB is proud to technically and financially support the launch of this energy transition plan. Its successful execution will not only imply a further step towards decarbonization and transition to sustainable sources by Ecuador and the region, but also a commitment to the protection of the environment and the sustainability of the Galapagos, a natural heritage of humanity.” , said Ariel Yépez-García, Manager of Infrastructure and Energy at the IDB.

The IDB has supported the government’s efforts to achieve a low carbon energy transition with public and private participation. In the Galapagos Islands, the IDB Group has succeeded in mobilizing technical and financial resources in order to achieve the sustainable implementation of this historic plan for the Archipelago, with the objective of introducing 85% of electricity generation with renewable energy and storage in 2030; and 100% by 2040.