VZCZCXYZ0445
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHQT #0294 0871235
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271235Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8681
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 7457
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0125
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2961
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAR LIMA 2500
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0143
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0617
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0066
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0387
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0010
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 3434
UNCLAS QUITO 000294
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON TRGY SENV UNDP UNEP EINV PGOV TINT EC
SUBJECT: U.S. COMPANY LEADS SUCCESSFUL WIND ENERGY PROJECT IN
GALAPAGOS
1. (U) Summary: The multilateral Galapagos Wind Energy Project
dedicated its wind-turbine project, largely funded by private sector
companies, on the Galapagos's San Cristobal island on March 18.
Project leader American Electric Power (AEP) says that on windy
days, the project provides 80% of San Cristobal's electricity at a
price comparable to diesel generation, but without diesel's
polluting impact. It is a laudable demonstration model ripe for
duplication, and especially valuable in one of the world's most
sensitive marine habitats. End summary.
2. (U) DCM Jefferson Brown spoke at the e8-sponsored dedication
ceremony on San Cristobal at the invitation of e8 member American
Electric Power (AEP) of Ohio. The e8 is a charitable trust composed
of nine of the world's leading power companies from G8 countries
that was formed in 1992. Its mission is to promote corporate
responsibility in the energy sector. Since 2001, AEP has provided
$6 million of the $10.5 million necessary for the Galapagos Wind
project (the UN Foundation contributed $1 million, and the
Ecuadorian government made up the balance). AEP has also provided
project management, with technical assistance primarily from the
German state power company RWE. Other e8 members include EDF
(France), Enel (Italy), Hydro-Qubec (Canada), Kansai Electric Power
Company (Japan), Ontario Power Generation (Canada), RAO UESR
(Russian Federation), RWE (Germany) and Tokyo Electric Power Company
(Japan). Representatives from RWE, EDF, and the Russian Embassy all
attended the dedication ceremony.
ECUADORIAN COMMITMENT
3. (U) Electricity Minister Alecksey Mosquera and Environment
Minister Marcela Aguinaga attended and spoke, echoing the commitment
to the project expressed by President Correa when he visited the
site in February. The Galapagos provincial electricity authority,
Elecgalapagos, recently-appointed interim Galapagos National Park
Director Sixto Naranjo (see Guayaquil septel), and local and
provincial government officials also attended.
4. (U) With the support of UNDP and the Ecuadorian Government,
Elecgalapagos is implementing a re-electrification program
throughout the Galapagos Islands with renewable sources, to
partially replace the Galapagos' existing diesel power plants. The
wind power generated by three windmills on San Cristobal costs
approximately 20% more than that produced by traditional diesel
generators, but so far the price to consumers has remained constant,
due to government subsidies. Given these results, and the oil spill
caused by the sinking of the tanker Jessica in 2001 in San Cristobal
harbor, local support for the project is strong. Elecgalapagos has
already advertised tenders for similar wind projects on Baltra and
Santa Cruz islands that emulate the San Cristobal project.
U.S. LEADERSHIP
5. (U) Representatives from RWE and EDF, along with local
officials praised AEP at the dedication ceremony for their
commitment to the project and the people of San Cristobal (and in
turn, AEP presented awards to their e8 partners and local
officials). In addition to AEP, at least three other U.S. companies
were also involved in the project as low-cost or pro-bono
contractors. Walsh Environmental, based in Boulder, Colorado,
completed a two-year environmental impact study to protect the
endangered Galapagos petrel from the windmills, which is native to
the island, in cooperation with the Charles Darwin Foundation. AEP
also contracted with Industry and Energy Associates of Portland,
Maine, to provide engineering project management to the diesel-wind
hybrid plant that controls the windmills. Finally, SolarQuest, a
non-profit organization based in Burlington, Vermont, provided
internet connectivity and solar panels to the wind power plant and
local schools through grants from AEP.
6. (SBU) Comment: The Galapagos Wind Project is an inspiring
example of successful multilateral cooperation and corporate social
responsibility. Through careful diplomacy on behalf of the e8, and
in particular, on behalf of AEP, the Ecuadorian government and the
population of San Cristobal appear to be wholeheartedly tied to the
project and claim it as their own. As Ecuador moves forward with
similar wind and hydroelectric power projects, post hopes this
positive multilateral and contractual relationship can be
replicated. End summary.
GRIFFITHS