Switching from Fossil Fuels to Biofuels on the Galapagos Islands

This project promoted the replacement of fossil fuels with biofuels for power generation on the Galapagos Islands. The oil from the physic nut, or Jatropha curcas, which is native to Ecuador and is planted as hedging in coastal provinces, was used as a biofuel. Supporting the cultivation of the physic nut (by smallholders) and the use of vegetable oil in energy generation helped to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and emissions of CO2. The project also provided advisory services and research support in promoting the use and cultivation of the physic nut as well as its conversion to oil. Furthermore, generators were retrofitted to run on vegetable oil and further training measures for local actors were carried out. The project made an effective contribution to implementing the ECU Government’s initiative ‘Zero Fossil Fuels on the Galapagos Islands’.