Mauritius aims to produce about 35% of its electricity needs from renewable sources, supported by several projects that include wind-farms and photovoltaic farms and Waste-to-Energy projects that are already in operation, according to the Executive chairman of the Maurice Ile Durable Fund (MID), Osman Mahomed.
Mahomed said, under the MID Policy Strategy Action Plan (MIDPSAP), a gross investment of more than US$170 million for projects by the private sector, will be partly offset by a subsidy of about US$ 8 million annually by Government over the next 20 years.
The MID Fund is financially assisting solar photovoltaic projects in three secondary schools.
“Sustainability begins with education. Investing in school does not only lead to environmental and economic benefits but also teaches students at a young age how to produce electricity and how to use it optimally,” he emphasised, before indicating that a total of 52 schools have already benefited from financial support from the MID Fund for solar photovoltaic projects.
Mahomed recalled that the main objective of the MID Fund is to accompany the implementation of the MIDPSAP which comprises energy conservation and a renewable energy transition programme.
“The transition will be achieved through a four-pronged approach, that is, increasing focus on energy efficiency and renewable, new energy systems, democratization and decentralization”, he pointed out.
He also listed the different projects funded through the MID Fund, namely the installation of wind turbines in Rodrigues which generate about 10% of the electricity needs of the island.
Grants have also been provided to almost 18% of families for the purchase of solar water heaters.
