A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Ecuador’s San Cristobal Island last Thursday to build a “Microgrid System.” (image: South Korean Embassy in Quito, Ecuador)
SEOUL, Nov. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean and local companies will be joining forces to help the Galapagos Islands, a treasure trove of flora and fauna, meet a “zero fossil fuel” commitment.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Ecuador’s San Cristobal Island last Thursday to build a “Microgrid System,” an Official Development Assistance project conducted by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Microgrids are independent power grids that can be self-sufficient in power in small areas like the island, and consist of renewable energy power generation facilities such as solar and wind power and energy storage.
As part of the project, which will cost US$5.8 million in total, the Korean government plans to build a microgrid system consisting of a 1-megawatt (MW) solar power plant and a 2.2 MW energy storage system on the site next to the San Cristobal Island airport by December 2020.
Once the project is completed, the utilization rate of renewable energy on San Cristobal Island will rise to 31 percent from the current 21 percent, the South Korean Embassy in Quito, Ecuador explained.
The Ecuadorian government is aiming for zero fossil fuels in the Galapagos system, and is hoping to achieve its target by 2025.
Previously, the South Korean government provided eco-friendly energy technologies by building solar power plants on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands in 2016.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
Very good! However, S. Korea should also support programs to improve efficiency of electricity use in Galapagos. Most buildings are very poorly designed to keep the heat out (no insulation, cheap windows…) and more and more people are installing air conditioning. As a result, electricity demand is going up and up. It would maybe be cheaper to spend less money on solar / wind power and use the extra money for programs on house / office insulation and better building standards.
Also, let’s not forget, there are 100+ tourism ships navigating the waters every day, all using fossil fuels.
Best regards,
Marc Patry
http://www.cnhtours.com
Galapagos is our only destination
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