Mauritius Unveils 405 MW Boost to Renewable Energy Grid

A Strategic Response to the Energy Crisis

In a decisive move to secure the nation’s power supply and accelerate the transition to green energy, the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr. Patrick Gervais Assirvaden, has announced a suite of projects aimed at adding 405 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.

The initiative comes as a response to global energy volatility and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Over the next three years, the Mauritian government intends to stabilize the electrical grid while reducing the country’s carbon footprint through high-tech renewable solutions and private sector partnerships.

Integrating Storage: The Priority of Battery Systems

A key pillar of this new roadmap is the mandatory integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Minister Assirvaden emphasized that future solar projects will only be prioritized if they include battery storage to ensure grid stability.

Notably, a 20 MW BESS deployment is scheduled to become operational by July 2026. This system is specifically designed to support the grid during peak demand hours between 18:00 and 21:00, preventing potential shortages during high-usage periods.

Key Renewable Energy Projects (2026–2029)

The government has outlined a diverse portfolio of projects categorized by technology and sector:

• Hybrid Solar & Storage: Development of hybrid facilities providing 100 MW of battery storage and 120 MW of Solar PV production.
• Floating Solar Technology: A partnership with India’s National Thermal Power Corporation to establish a 20 MW floating solar farm at the Tamarind Falls Reservoir.
• Agrivoltaics Expansion: Combining food security with energy production, this scheme allows farmers to install solar panels while continuing livestock and crop activities.
• Wind Energy Extension: Increasing the capacity at Plaine des Roches by an additional 15 to 20 MW.
• Commercial Carbon Neutrality: A 20 MW scheme encouraging shopping malls and large enterprises to utilize rooftops and parking lots for solar generation.

Liberalizing Home Solar Power

To empower individual citizens, the Ministry is moving toward the liberalization of domestic solar energy. The Home Solar Project will allow households to generate up to 10 kW of power independently. Furthermore, with the support of the Indian government, Mauritius will acquire and install 100,000 home solar kits on domestic residences across the island.

Private Sector Engagement and Market Reform

The government is opening the energy sector to private promoters to accelerate the rollout of clean energy. Three major hybrid projects, known as Stor’Sun, are expected to be implemented by private investors by September 2026, contributing an additional 30 MW to the grid.

Accompanying these infrastructure projects will be a national sensitization campaign and regulatory amendments aimed at curbing electricity wastage and promoting responsible consumption. Through these combined efforts, Mauritius aims to build a more resilient, self-sufficient, and sustainable energy future.