Actually, there is only one wind farm project in Mauritius. Situated in Plaine des Roches, the farm supplies the ‘Central Electricity Board’ (CEB) with approximately 9,35 megawatts (MW) through its 11 turbines. The project was set up four years ago and the CEB now wants to further explore this way of producing energy as Mauritius is situated in the exposed regions of the South East Trade Winds. In this context, a call for expressions of interest was published lately.
The CEB wish to enlist wind farms so as to generate energy of a capacity of 10 MW and 30 MW. An absorption capacity of 40 MW is expected and the bidders will have a ‘Power Purchasing Agreement’ over a period of 20 years. The CEB intends to reach 35 % of its capacity in green energy by 2025 and 60 % by 2030. This public body absorbs fossil energy mainly from charcoal, bagasse and heavy oil. Actually, the absorbing capacity is around 20 %. The new wind farms will be connected to CEB sub stations, namely at Amaury, Anahita, Case Noyale and Henrietta for the transmission of the units produced. As regards to the prices, proposals should be made in rupees per kilowatt/hour, partly in dollars and rupees, and in euros and rupees. The promoters should be in a position to launch their wind farms within 15 months and they should also be fully operational within 24 months. The structures of the wind farms should be resistant to the cyclonic winds of a strength of 280 km/h. The projects may be private, joint-ventures, or a public/private partnership. All projects should be submitted by the 29th of September. The CEB intends to integrate the wind farms, the solar farms, biomass, hydroelectric and others, in view to reach 35 % of its energy production. To note, the ‘Smart Grid Code’ will be set up in order to allow the hybrid integration of fossil and renewable energy.
