Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy in islands of high ecological value: The cases of Galápagos, Fernando de Noronha, and Príncipe.

Many archipelagos rely on imports of diesel to produce most of the electricity they consume. That results in a high price for electricity and risk of fuel spills. Currently, many islands worldwide are facing the challenge of integrating local renewable energy sources into their electricity grids. This work conducts a review of energy transition for islands and then focuses on three case studies: Galápagos, Noronha and Príncipe. It was found that the demand for energy at these locations will continue to grow at a high rate, pushed by the growth of tourism and population. In the three cases, large PV solar projects are planned for the coming years and should supply a large share of that demand. PV solar stands out as the most economically viable option for generating electricity, with a LCOE much lower than diesel (between 44% and 80% lower). Galápagos and Noronha are installing battery storage facilities to integrate the supply of energy from renewable sources. In addition, they are fostering energy efficiency and the progressive adoption of electric vehicles. Príncipe is at a much earlier stage: the grid needs substantial investment and plans for electric mobility are still incipient. Based on this research, it is strongly recommended to (1) incentivize energy efficiency, (2) provide training in the area of renewable energy to local workers, and (3) provide incentives to the residential and commercial sectors, particularly hotels, to foster contribution to the energy supply through the installation of PV solar and solar hot water heating on rooftops. • Demand for energy in most islands is rising due to tourism and population growth. • Many islands are committed to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. • The studied cases are projected to achieve 50% generation from solar energy by 2030. • This would reduce their dependency on diesel imports and the risks of fuel spills. • Energy efficiency and electrical mobility initiatives on islands are also reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]