The Central Electricity Board (CEB) of Mauritius has launched a tender for consultancy services for a 15 MW solar plant. This process, conducted under Section 16 of the Public Procurement Act 2006, requires applications to be submitted by May 22 under reference number OAB-CPR-2024-6011.
Applications Open to Local and Foreign Firms
The CEB has launched a call for proposals to select consultants to serve as independent engineers for the project. Applications are open to both foreign and Mauritius-based firms, with extensive details available on the Central Electricity Board’s website.
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“Please ensure that proposals for the project titled “OAB-CPR-2024-6011: Consultancy Services for Independent Engineering in the Implementation of a 15MWac Solar Farm” are submitted no later than 13:30 Mauritian Time on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered,” the Central Electricity Board announced.
Proposals can be delivered to the Tender Box at the Central Electricity Board office on Royal Road in Curepipe, Republic of Mauritius, or sent via registered post or courier service to the same address. Bids will be opened on May 22, 2024, in the presence of any bidders or their representatives who wish to attend.
Mauritius Aims for 35% Renewable Energy by 2025
The Mauritian government’s energy policy promotes the adoption of renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The country plans to increase the share of electricity generated from renewables from 21% to 35% by 2025.
This objective will be met through a range of initiatives, including wind farms, solar power, biomass, wave energy, and waste-to-energy projects. Bagasse—the residue from sugarcane processing—currently accounts for 89% of the country’s renewable energy production. Other sources of renewable electricity in Mauritius include hydro, wind, landfill gas, fuelwood, and solar energy.
Mauritius had deployed 108 MW of solar capacity by the end of 2023, according to figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Home Solar Project Scheme
Recently, the CEB began rolling out solar PV systems through its Home Solar Project (HSP) scheme, with concessional financing from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). A total of USD 10 million was allocated under the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility, covering half of the project’s costs, with the remaining funds sourced from the CEB.
The ADFD and IRENA approved the CEB’s plan to install 10,000 solar PV systems on residential rooftops across Mauritius. They recognized the environmental, socioeconomic, and strategic advantages of rooftop solar for the island nation—particularly its suitability as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS).
This initiative aligns with Mauritius’ commitment to reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. Upon completion, the project will have a total capacity of 10 megawatts (MW), cutting 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and saving USD 400,000 annually. It will also reduce the country’s dependence on diesel fuel.
Denis Trevedy, a resident of Dagotière, highlights the initiative’s impact: “The most noticeable benefit for us was the significant reduction in our electricity bills. Experiencing a decrease of over 50% was truly remarkable. As word spread about the savings we were achieving, there was a surge of interest from everyone.”
Free Installation of Solar Panels
The project focuses on installing free rooftop solar modules on social housing complexes for eligible households. To boost participation, the CEB launched a successful outreach and awareness campaign that has already resulted in installations for 2,000 households.
The Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities oversees the CEB, the sole agency in Mauritius responsible for electricity transmission, distribution, and sales. Currently, the CEB’s eight hydroelectric plants and four thermal power plants supply 40% of the nation’s electricity. The remaining 60% is purchased from independent power producers, primarily private firms that use imported coal and bagasse from the sugarcane industry.
