A one-day consultative workshop on the Deployment of 5 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) installations on Public Buildings, opened, this morning in the presence of the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranath Sharma Hureeram, at the Hilton Mauritius Resort and Spa, Flic en Flac.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, the Central Electricity Board (CEB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this workshop regrouping around 200 participants from various Government entities, aims to discuss the benefits of this project, the challenges to be addressed, and how stakeholders can contribute.
The Team Leader, Environment Unit, UNDP, Mr Jean-Lindsay Azie; the Corporate Communication Manager of CEB, Mr Thierry Ramasawmy; and other personalities were also present for the occasion.
In his keynote address, Minister Hureeram emphasised the need for sustainable energy practices amidst the challenges posed by climate change and underlined the poten
tial of utilising public building rooftops to harness solar energy. Highlighting Government’s ongoing efforts to promote a green economy through various budget measures, he pointed out its goal to encourage households and industries to adopt more sustainable energy solutions.
The Minister underscored the importance of individual and collective responsibility in this transition and appealed to public officers and citizens to actively participate in energy-saving practices. It is to be noted that the Ministry of Infrastructure oversees approximately 70 buildings across the island, suggesting that equipping these structures with solar panels could significantly enhance energy self-sufficiency. Mr Hureeram further elaborated on the necessity of protecting nature and minimising carbon emissions as a collaborative effort toward combating climate change.
As for Mr Azie, he stated that this initiative aims to advance Mauritius’ low-carbon economy. ‘Since 2022, over 6 MW of solar PV installations have been deployed,
with 9 MW expected by year-end,’ he stated. As we confront climate change, explained Mr Azie, Mauritius is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and achieving 60% renewable energy by 2030. He indicated that this workshop is a vital opportunity for stakeholders to explore renewable energy benefits and engage in discussions on the upcoming deployment activities.
For his part, Mr Ramasawmy underpinned this milestone achieved in the journey towards a sustainable Mauritius, with a bold target of 60% renewable energy by 2030. He underscored that the 5 MW solar PV installations on public buildings are crucial in harnessing the underutilised rooftop space of government facilities to generate clean energy and reduce operational costs. Extending gratitude to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for their financial support and to the UNDP for their collaboration in this transformative effort, he indicated that this workshop serves as an open dialogue for addressing questions and concerns, highlighting the proje
ct’s advantages, including lower electricity costs and leadership in the energy transition and ultimately contributing to the decarbonisation of our electrical grid and environmental preservation for future generations.
It is recalled that this consultative workshop under Component 2 of the Accelerating the transformational shift to a low carbon economy in the Republic of Mauritius project has been funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), implemented by the CEB and supported by the UNDP.
Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website: https://gis.govmu.org Mobile App: Search Gov
Source: Government of Mauritius