AEP Environmental Project Wins Energy Globe Award

Located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galapagos San Cristobal Island Wind Project is Ecuador’s first and longest-operating wind project.

The Galapagos San Cristobal Island Wind Project (Ecuador) has been selected as the best renewable energy project in Ecuador. The project was selected by Energy Globe (in collaboration with UNESCO and UNEP) from over 2,000 submissions from over 170 countries. The winners were announced June 5 during World Environment Day.

Located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galapagos San Cristobal Island Wind Project is Ecuador’s first and longest-operating wind project. Inaugurated in October 2007, this world-class project was led by American Electric Power and RWE and is the first large-scale wind project in Ecuador. It has been operating reliably since its commissioning to produce over 26 million kWh of energy to San Cristobal’s customers, preventing the emission of over 21,000 tons of CO2, compared to a full diesel supply. The three 800-kW turbines and two 6-kW solar photovoltaic systems supply approximately 30 percent of the island’s electricity needs. The project has been financially sustainable, generating over $3.4 million US in revenues since 2007. It is registered under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism.

“Although thousands of miles separate ELECGALÁPAGOS S.A. and AEP service territories, both of our companies are transforming to better meet our customers’ needs,” said Nick Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We are taking remarkably similar steps to spur innovation and integrate new technologies to ensure we can produce and deliver affordable, reliable and cleaner power that meets the expectations of our customers and regulators.

The project was completed with the support and collaboration of the United Nations Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme, the Government of Ecuador, EOLICSA and the ELECGALAPAGOS. You can learn more about the project here.