• Government plans 405 MW in new renewable capacity over three years

• Projects include solar, wind, and battery storage to stabilise electricity supply

• Authorities move to open sector to private investors amid energy pressures

The Government of Mauritius announced, on April 6, a pipeline of renewable energy projects totaling 405 megawatts (MW), as it seeks to strengthen electricity supply, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and address ongoing energy pressures.

The projects, unveiled by Energy and Public Utilities Minister Patrick Assirvaden, are expected to be implemented over a three-year period and follow consultations with key institutions including the Central Electricity Board and the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency, according to the Government Information Service.

The programme combines multiple energy sources and technologies. It includes hybrid renewable facilities integrating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery energy storage systems (BESS) to deliver about 120 MW, alongside a 100 MW storage component aimed at stabilising supply. Additional measures include a floating solar plant of up to 20 MW at Tamarind Falls Reservoir, expansion of wind capacity by up to 20 MW, and deployment of 20 MW of battery storage to meet peak evening demand.

Authorities are also scaling distributed energy production. Plans include the installation of 100,000 home solar kits, liberalisation of residential solar systems below 10 kilowatts, and a 20 MW carbon-neutral scheme targeting commercial users such as shopping centres and large enterprises. An agrivoltaics programme, which allows farmers to combine agriculture with solar energy generation, has already received 39 applications, with 18 projects approved.

The initiative comes as Mauritius faces energy supply constraints linked to external shocks, including geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets. According to the government, the new capacity is intended to improve grid stability and ensure a more resilient electricity system.

A key feature of the programme is the opening of the renewable energy market to private promoters and investors, with several projects expected to be developed by the private sector. Three hybrid projects under the Stor’Sun initiative, with a combined capacity of 30 MW, are scheduled for implementation from September.

The policy direction aligns with broader efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce exposure to imported fuels. By prioritising projects with storage capacity and introducing regulatory measures to limit electricity wastage, authorities aim to better manage demand and integrate intermittent renewable energy into the grid.

The 405 MW pipeline represents one of the largest recent expansions of renewable capacity in Mauritius, positioning energy infrastructure and private sector participation at the centre of the country’s response to supply risks and rising electricity demand.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang