Mauritius is advancing plans to strengthen its energy mix through a pipeline of 405 MW renewable projects, as part of efforts to transition toward cleaner power sources and reduce the risk of an energy shortfall. The announcement was made by the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Patrick Gervais Assirvaden, during a press conference held at the Ministry in Port Louis. The proposed 405 MW renewable projects have been identified following consultations with key stakeholders, including the Central Electricity Board, the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency and the Energy Efficiency Management Office, and are scheduled for implementation over a three-year period.
Highlighting the broader policy direction, Minister Assirvaden reiterated the Government’s commitment to easing pressure on households and businesses while addressing the ongoing energy crisis, which has been intensified by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He also pointed to plans to open the sector further to private promoters and investors in order to accelerate renewable deployment. As part of the initiative, a national sensitisation campaign will be introduced to encourage responsible electricity consumption and increase awareness of renewable energy benefits. The Minister added that priority will be given to projects integrating battery storage systems, while regulatory amendments are being considered to reduce electricity wastage. The 405 MW renewable projects are therefore positioned as a comprehensive response to both supply constraints and sustainability targets.
The programme includes a diverse mix of developments. Among them is the creation of renewable energy hybrid facility projects combining Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity of 100 MW with Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems delivering a total of 120 MW. Another key component is the establishment of a Floating Solar PV Farm with a capacity of 17.5 to 20 Megawatts (MW) at the Tamarind Falls Reservoir, in partnership with the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd of India under a Government-to-Government agreement. Additional measures include the expansion of the Agrivoltaics Scheme, which has already seen 39 applications and 18 approved projects, as well as the introduction of a 20 MW Carbon Neutral Scheme for Commercial Sector to promote rooftop solar installations.
Further steps under the 405 MW renewable projects framework include extending wind turbine capacity at Plaine des Roches by 15 to 20 MW, liberalising the Home Solar Project for residential uptake up to 10 Kilowatt, and procuring 100,000 home solar kits with support from the Indian Government. The initiative also incorporates the deployment of 20 MW BESS to meet peak electricity demand between 6 PM to 9 PM, operational from July 2026. In addition, three hybrid renewable energy projects under the Stor’Sun programme, with a combined capacity of 30 MW, are expected to be delivered by the private sector in September. According to Minister Assirvaden, these developments will strengthen grid stability, support renewable integration, and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy system in Mauritius.
