Mauritian Textile Giant RT Knits Hits 100% Solar Milestone on 55th Anniversary

Pioneering manufacturer RT Knits has become one of the first industrial players in Mauritius to power its operations with 100% solar energy, marking its 55th anniversary with the inauguration of a massive 7.5 MW photovoltaic farm.

The project, officially launched at the company’s headquarters, allows the textile giant to produce the equivalent of its entire electricity demand from renewable sources.

Fully self-funded by RT Knits and developed under the Central Electricity Board’s (CEB) Carbon Neutral Industrial Sector scheme, the farm is part of a 20-year contractual agreement with the national utility.

A Strategic Leap for Sustainability

Combined with a 1 MW rooftop installation commissioned in 2022, the new facility directly feeds the company’s integrated production platform.

CEO Kendall Tang described the farm as a “very strategic investment” aimed at securing stable, low-cost electricity amid volatile global fossil fuel prices.

“Our long-term vision is to remain a competitive manufacturing company in Mauritius while significantly reducing our environmental footprint,” Mr Tang said.

The transition is expected to eliminate approximately 57% of the firm’s Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.

National Energy Warnings

The inauguration comes as Energy Minister Patrick Assirvaden issued a stark warning regarding the country’s energy security.

Speaking at the event, the Minister revealed that the national grid is currently struggling to meet peak demand.

“Today, between 6 pm and 9 pm, we are no longer able to support the demand,” Minister Assirvaden stated, noting that the country is facing a production breakdown.

He further highlighted a “concerning” decline in renewable energy’s share of the national mix—dropping from 21% to 18% over the last decade—and emphasised that the government is investing in 20 MW battery storage set for 2026.

Global Leadership in Carbon Neutrality

RT Knits, which employs 1,800 people and produces 17 million garments annually, has positioned itself as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing.

• Net Zero Target: The company aims for Net Zero by 2040, a decade ahead of the standard 2050 goal.
• SBTi Approval: In September 2024, it became the first textile manufacturer in the world to have its long-term carbon neutrality plan approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative.
• Future Goals: A second project in development aims to bring the total reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions to 97% by 2028.

Industry and Partner Praise

Industry Minister Aadil Ameer Meea praised the company for its loyalty to the local economy, noting that RT Knits chose to stay and invest in Mauritius while others relocated to lower-cost destinations.

The move has also been championed by international clients. Roxanne Gillan of Woolworths stated that environmental performance is now a central criterion for supplier selection.

“We do not assess our suppliers on cost alone,” she said, adding that the solar investment strengthens the “credibility of the Mauritian supply chain.”

The event, which coincided with the UN World Clean Energy Day, underscores the company’s evolution from a pioneer of the Export Processing Zone to a modern practitioner of “Industry 4.0,” incorporating robotics, AI, and circular economy principles into its “Made in Mauritius” brand.

Source: Le Mauricien