Mauritius to Bolster Power Grid with 405 MW Boost Amid Energy Crisis

The Mauritian government has unveiled a sweeping energy strategy to inject 405 megawatts (MW) into the national grid over the next three years to combat supply tensions and accelerate the green transition.

Energy and Public Utilities Minister, Patrick Assirvaden, announced the measures during a press conference on Monday, 6 April.

The roadmap, developed alongside the Central Electricity Board (CEB) and key energy agencies, aims to stabilise the network and reduce reliance on conventional fuels amidst global international uncertainty.

The immediate phase of the plan will see three private-sector hybrid projects, totalling 30 MW, become operational as early as September.

Diversifying the Energy Mix

A significant portion of the new capacity will come from hybrid solar-and-battery storage projects, expected to generate up to 120 MW.

To manage evening peak demands, a dedicated energy storage system will also be deployed.

In a landmark partnership with India, a floating solar farm with a capacity of 20 MW is slated for the Tamarind Falls reservoir. Other key infrastructure developments include:

• Wind Power: An extension of the wind farm at Plaine des Roches.
• Agrivoltaics: A scheme allowing farmers to produce solar energy while maintaining agricultural activities.
• Corporate Incentives: Measures to encourage businesses to adopt solar technology.

Massive Domestic Solar Rollout

The government is also turning to residential rooftops to secure the island’s energy future.

Plans include the liberalisation of domestic solar projects and the installation of 100,000 solar kits, supported by the Indian government.

Minister Assirvaden emphasised that these coordinated efforts between the CEB, the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency, and the Energy Efficiency Management Office are essential for building national energy resilience.

Source: Le Mauricien