Mauritius is advancing its renewable energy ambitions with a new tender for a 15 MWac solar farm. The nation’s Central Electricity Board (CEB) has initiated a competitive process to secure consultancy services from an independent engineer to oversee the implementation of this significant project, located at Le Val. This move is a key part of the country’s strategy to expand its green energy portfolio.
The tender, launched on April 17, 2024, under the reference OAB-CPR-2024-6011, is open to both international and local Mauritian consultancy firms. The selected consultant will provide crucial engineering oversight for the solar farm’s development. Interested parties must submit their proposals in hard copy, either by registered post, courier, or in person to the CEB’s office on Royal Road in Curepipe. The CEB has set a strict deadline for submissions. “Please ensure that proposals for the project… 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. The opening of the bids will take place on the same day, with bidders or their representatives invited to attend.
Driving National Renewable Energy Goals After Mauritius Announced Bidding for 15 MW Solar Plant
This 15 MW project aligns with the Mauritian government’s aggressive energy policy, which aims to increase the share of renewables in its electricity generation mix to 35% by 2025. According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency, Mauritius had already installed 108 MW of solar capacity by the end of 2023. The country is diversifying its energy sources beyond its current mainstay, bagasse (sugarcane residue), by investing in wind, hydro, waste-to-energy, and solar energy to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Empowering Homeowners with Solar
Alongside utility-scale projects, Mauritius is empowering its citizens through initiatives like the Home Solar Project (HSP). This scheme, supported by a $10 million concessional loan from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) through the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility, aims to install 10,000 rooftop solar PV systems. The project, co-funded by the CEB, will add 10 MW of distributed generation capacity and is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 15,000 tonnes. The program has been met with enthusiasm from residents. Denis Trevedy of Dagotière shared his experience: “The most noticeable benefit for us was the significant reduction in our electricity bills. Experiencing a decrease of over 50% was truly remarkable.”
The CEB’s Central Role
As the sole entity for electricity transmission and distribution in Mauritius, the CEB is central to this energy transition. While it currently generates about 40% of the nation’s electricity from its own hydro and thermal plants, the remaining 60% is purchased from independent power producers. By spearheading projects like the 15 MW Le Val solar farm and the Home Solar Project, the CEB is actively shaping a more sustainable and resilient energy future for the island nation.
Sources
- Mauritius Launches Competitive Solicitation Process For Solar Farm
- Agence Française de Développement – AFD/dgMarket
- Mauritius (CEB 15mw) solar farm – Global Energy Monitor
- Effective Renewable Energy Tendering in Africa Success Factors for …
- Mauritius issues tender for 15MW solar PV project
- Mauritius seeking consultants for 15 MW solar array – PV Magazine
