Mauritius Seeks U.S. Expertise to Address 600 MW Energy Crisis

On July 23, at Floréal, the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius, in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce, hosted a high-level meeting on the future of the country’s energy sector. Key stakeholders, including U.S. Ambassador Henry V. Jardine and Mauritius’s Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Patrick Assirvaden, attended the event at Macarty House.

The minister reaffirmed Mauritius’s goal to increase renewable energy to 60% of its energy mix by 2030.

Currently, renewables account for just 18%, and reaching 60% will likely require additional years.

“I strongly believe in renewable energy, but energy security remains my top priority,” Assirvaden stated, referencing recent power outages.

Mauritius’s current power capacity is around 600 MW, with nearly 230 MW coming from plants that are 15 to 30 years old. Additionally, a 37 MW private power plant in Savannah will be offline until November, and two emergency engines have been out of service for several months.

To address immediate needs, the Ministry plans short-term measures, especially for next summer.

These include using a “powership” (a mobile floating power plant), batteries to handle peak demand for three hours, and mobile power stations.

These emergency solutions are expected to last up to four years, helping to build a more sustainable and resilient energy system.

Afterward, focus will shift to medium- and long-term projects. Minister Assirvaden said, “We’re not yet sure whether the powership project will proceed, but my role is to ensure energy security.”

Innovative initiatives include a floating solar plant at Tamarind Falls and expanding the Plaine-des-Roches wind farm with an additional 100 MW of solar capacity.

The minister emphasized the importance of modernizing the electrical grid to better integrate renewable energy sources.

A new strategy, soon to be unveiled by the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency, aims to increase the share of green energy in the country’s power mix.

Mauritius still heavily relies on heavy fuel oil and coal for baseline power generation. The minister reiterated the government’s plan to phase out coal gradually, while developing reliable alternatives such as biomass.

The country faces rising pressure on its power grid, which must accommodate an additional 90 MW demand due to developments like Smart Cities and large hotels.

During summer evenings, over 100,000 air conditioners run nightly. Without rapid deployment of renewable capacity, storage solutions, and advanced technologies, Mauritius risks remaining dependent on fossil fuels and temporary fixes like powerships.

Ambassador Jardine highlighted that American companies’ expertise in advanced energy technologies, multi-source management, solar solutions, and battery storage is highly valuable for Mauritius.

The country is open to cooperation in both power generation and grid modernization, crucial for integrating renewables.

Mauritius’s modest electrical network spans about 7,000 km and offers opportunities for innovative solutions.

With abundant sunshine, strong wind resources, and an agricultural sector suitable for agrivoltaics, the island is well positioned to leverage free energy sources.

The minister welcomed American firms to share their expertise and support Mauritius’s energy transition.

Ambassador Jardine noted that Mauritius offers a business-friendly environment and is recognized for ease of doing business.

Many U.S. companies are ready to support the country with their cutting-edge technologies and knowledge in renewable energy development.

Source: l’Express