AEE’s 2026 Trade Mission: Exploring Sustainability Across Ecuador and Peru

From February 7–21, 2026, a delegation of 13 AEE members and companions from the United States, India, Guatemala, and South Africa traveled through Ecuador and Peru. The journey blended professional exchange, hands-on learning, and cultural immersion that is all united by a focus on renewable energy and sustainability in emerging markets.

In Ecuador, the team began in Quito before traveling to the Galápagos Islands, where a visit to the Galápagos Renewable Energy Center offered a clear example of clean energy systems protecting one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems.

Peru brought two standout milestones. In Lima, the team met with the newly chartered AEE Peru Chapter whose leadership shared plans to launch the Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) course locally. The delegation then conducted a walkthrough energy audit at CETPRO Peru, a public technical training institution. This marked AEE’s first-ever Trade Mission service project, identifying practical efficiency improvements in lighting, plug loads, and water heating.

The mission continued into the Amazon at Tambopata National Reserve, where the team explored the rainforest canopy, observed remarkable biodiversity, and toured an eco-lodge powered by solar panels and battery storage. The final days took the group through the Sacred Valley, visiting the Awamaki women’s artisan cooperative and the ancient engineering marvel of Ollantaytambo before culminating at Machu Picchu, a timeless symbol of human ingenuity in harmony with nature.

The 2026 mission reinforced AEE’s commitment to its “Global Family” values, proving that meaningful collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community service can happen anywhere in the world. Read the full report ici.