(Ecofin Agency) - With the support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mauritius has launched a $191 million renewable energy project which aims at reducing the country’s fossil fuel imports and accelerate its shift to a low-carbon economy.

The project will extend over eight years and falls in line with the country’s goal to, by 2025, bring renewables’ share in its energy mix to 35% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.3 million tons.

In its first phase of development, the project will help boost the grid’s capacity by integrating the output of renewable power plants. It will also support institutional strengthening through the operationalization of the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA). The second phase will allow the deployment of the solar energy in Mauritius’ principal outer island, Agalega. 

Currently, 80% of the country’s energy is derived from fossil fuel.

Gwladys Johnson