Facing increasing energy demands and a need to accelerate its shift to cleaner energy, Mauritius has approached India for technical assistance and collaboration, particularly in the renewable energy sector, according to information gathered by ANI.
Officials from Mauritius’ Ministry of Energy revealed that a team of senior Indian experts is expected to visit in May to support the Central Electricity Board (CEB) with energy planning and regulatory development.
Zeenat Guness-Gooljar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, said the upcoming visit would mark the first concrete step forward since Mauritius submitted a set of proposals to India. “This is one of the first tangible outcomes following our proposals,” she noted, adding that more engagement is expected in the energy space.
Guness-Gooljar explained that Mauritius is currently dealing with energy security challenges due to surging electricity demand. “We’ve seen a significant rise in power consumption. To ensure energy security, we need assistance in areas like generation planning,” she said.
As of February 2025, Mauritius recorded its highest-ever peak electricity demand of 567.9 megawatts (MW).
“Our challenge is not just meeting demand but doing so across generation, transmission, distribution, and storage. We aim for a green energy transition and look forward to Indian experts evaluating our systems and sharing their expertise,” she added.
An official from the Ministry of Energy confirmed that Mauritius has submitted around 10 to 15 proposals through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Indian High Commission. These include requests for technical, financial, and capacity-building support across both the energy and water sectors.
India’s help is also being sought for initiating and expanding renewable energy projects. Guness-Gooljar mentioned delays in approvals for large-scale projects and outlined a plan to start with a small pilot project at a reservoir before scaling up.
Mauritius aims to generate 60% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 as part of its national strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and move toward a low-carbon economy. The country is also exploring new energy sources, including green hydrogen.
The Mauritian government is seeking Indian expertise in developing offshore hydrogen projects and supporting infrastructure in the Indian Ocean. “This is a highly specialized field where Indian knowledge and capabilities could provide critical support,” Guness-Gooljar said.
India has played a key role in supporting renewable energy development in Mauritius, reflecting a strong bilateral relationship. A notable example is the 8 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm at Henrietta, commissioned in November 2023. The project, carried out by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) under India’s line of credit, is expected to cut approximately 13,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, contributing to Mauritius’s sustainable development goals.
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