Starting at the end of 2018, a hybrid power plant is to supply the Galapagos island of Isabela with electricity largely generated from renewable energy. A PV system and diesel generators running on pure jatropha oil take over this task. The vegetable oil is harvested and produced in Manabí on Ecuador’s mainland and extracted from ripe nuts of the jatropha curcas plant. This biofuel is an integral part of the “Zero Fossil Fuels in Galapagos” initiative. Ecuador’s Government started it in 2008 with the aim of replacing fossil fuels in the Galapagos by 2020.
The project has now taken another big step towards commercial operation, as the thermal part of the station has now successfully passed its load test. On 28 September 2018, Lahmeyer handed over the provisional acceptance inspection certificate for this part of the power plant to the contractor Siemens. After completion of the EPC work it is expected that Siemens will receive the acceptance inspection certificate for the entire hybrid power plant at the end of the year. After this, the 24-month guarantee period for the plant begins.
Following comprehensive training, the staff of Galapagos power supplier Elecgalapagos (EEPG) took over responsibility for running the station in October. Experts from Siemens are providing the staff with support. Lahmeyer provides owner’s engineer services to the Ministry of Energy in Ecuador for this project. The German development bank KfW provided the majority of the finance for the project in the form of a subsidy.
The hybrid power plant in Isabela has five units total a combined output of 1,625 kW. These are in addition to a 950 kWp photovoltaic plant and a 660 kW/333 kWh lithium-ion energy storage facility. This makes it possible to operate in diesel-off mode when the sun shines, in order to reduce the fuel consumption of the plant. The units are run on pure jatropha vegetable oil, with diesel fuel as back-up fuel.
The Company – Engineering solutions for a sustainable future
Tractebel
With about 4,500 staff around the world, Tractebel is one of the leading specialized engineering companies worldwide. The company is located in Brussels. It develops and implements engineering and consultancy solutions as well as innovations for energy, water and urban infrastructure for the public and the private sector. With more than 150 years of experience and a global presence, Tractebel offers its clients added value throughout the complete project cycle. Tractebel is a company of the French multinational electric utility company ENGIE with headquarters in Paris (France).
Lahmeyer
Since December 2014, Lahmeyer belongs to Tractebel, and thus is part of the ENGIE Group. As an international company of consulting engineers, Lahmeyer offers a wide range of planning and consultancy services. The main fields of activity are complex infrastructure projects in the Energy, Hydropower and Water Resources Sectors as well as in Building and Transportation. With origins dating back to 1890, the company has grown into one of the leading international companies with project experience in 165 countries.
Tractebel with head office in Brussels (Belgium) and its subsidiary company Lahmeyer with head office in Bad Vilbel near Frankfurt (Germany) cooperate on many international projects and keep growing closer as one company.
Contact Partner for Press Enquiries:
Lahmeyer International GmbH
Sabine Wulf
Head of Marketing Communications & CSR
Friedberger Straße 173
D-61118 Bad Vilbel
Phone: + 49 (61 01) 55 – 0
Fax: +49 6101 55-2222
info@de.lahmeyer.com