Hence, the Ecuadorian government started the “Zero Fossil Fuel Galápagos Initiative” that led to replacing the old diesel gensets with a pioneering solution based on 100% renewables. In 2016 the project began on the largest island of Galápagos, Isabela, with a new, hybrid power plant for the entire island.

The new plant is close to the seaside, resulting in a harsh environment with volcanic and seismic activities. Logistics were constrained by the naval transport capacity, and high environmental protection requirements in this nature reserve called for special precautions. The new power plant also had to be expandable for future demand development, which was considered right from the start of the project.

The Isabela Island Hybrid Power Plant project was handled by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Energy as project owner, Lahmeyer International as technical consultant, KfW as multilateral bank, Elecgalápagos as local utility, and Siemens as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor who carried out the detailed engineering design of the project, procured all the equipment and materials necessary, and carried out construction.