India Backs 500 MW Mauritius Gas Plant to Replace Aging Power Stations

Mauritius and India have moved to significantly deepen their energy partnership following high-level bilateral talks at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. The discussions, held on Friday 20 March, centered on a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) proposal and the acceleration of existing renewable energy infrastructure.

The centrepiece of the meeting was an official request submitted by Mauritian Energy Minister Patrick Assirvaden for Indian support in developing a 450 to 500 MW LNG power plant.

This ambitious project is designed to modernise the Mauritian grid by replacing approximately 400 MW of ageing thermal power stations currently slated for retirement.

Strategic Infrastructure

In addition to the LNG proposal, the two nations reviewed the progress of a 17 to 20 MW floating solar farm at the Henrietta dam.

The project, managed by the Central Electricity Board (CEB) and implemented by NTPC India, is now set to be fast-tracked.

Indian Energy Minister Shri Manohar Lal reaffirmed India’s “unwavering support” for these initiatives, which stem from a Memorandum of Understanding signed last year during Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam’s state visit to India.

Transition and Security

The collaboration is being positioned as a critical step toward shared energy security and a sustainable transition for the island nation.

The Central Electricity Board will take the lead on these developments under the close supervision of the Mauritian government.

Key officials present at the summit included:

• Patrick Assirvaden, Mauritian Minister of Energy
• Shri Manohar Lal, Indian Minister of Energy
• Shamshir Mukoon, Director General of the CEB

The delegation confirmed that the Mauritian Ministry of Energy will monitor the progress of the LNG dossier closely as the two countries align their long-term energy trajectories.

Source: l’Express