Independent energy supply in the CaribbeanThe power supply on the Caribbean island of Aruba is mainly dependent on diesel and other fossil fuels. This has two major disadvantages: firstly, they have to be imported from abroad and secondly, they cause significant amounts of carbon emissions. Our Carbon offset project, on the other hand, is doing pioneering work by using the island's natural energy resource: the wind.
A wind farm with 10 turbines and a total capacity of 30 MW was built in Vader Piet on the east coast of the island. Every year, 126.1 GW hours are generated here – up to 15 percent of Aruba's total power generation. The project saves around 152,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, which would otherwise be emitted if power were generated from fossil fuels. And it reinforces the independent energy supply in Aruba.
As the first wind park on Aruba, Vader Piet is also seen as an important pioneer project for renewable energies in the entire region.
How wind energy contributes to climate actionAs the name suggests, wind turbines use the power of the wind to generate energy. During this process, a generator located inside the wind turbine converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. As energy is still mainly generated from fossil fuels in many areas around the world, clean wind energy can replace some of this fossil, high-emission energy and verifiably save CO2 emissions.
In most cases, the sustainably generated electricity from the wind power projects is fed into a regional power grid, which diversifies the power supply and improves energy security in regions that are frequently affected by power shortages and outages. A project often creates increased job opportunities for the local population and the area can be used for additional activities, such as agriculture. Wind power projects make an important contribution to a clean energy supply worldwide and contribute to sustainable development with respect to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Wind energy projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.
