The 16.3 MW greenfield grid-connected Solitude Solar Power project provides electricity to the Central Electricity Board on the island of Mauritius. It consists of 59,376 polycrystalline silicon solar cells, installed in Solitude near the village of Triolet, in the north of the island. The project started operating in December 2018 and represents 20% of Mauritius’ total installed IPP PV capacity, bringing clean and sustainable electricity to an estimated 10,000 Mauritian households.
Benefits: Climate & Environment
Electricity in Mauritius is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, with significant associated cost. The project’s solar power production reduces the island’s dependence on fossil fuel, thus reducing the Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG) associated with the country’s power production. The project supports the country’s ambitions national “Mauritius Sustainable Island” strategy, which aims to achieve 40-60% renewable energy in the island’s energy mix by 2030.
Key Benefits
- The project improves the country’s energy self-sufficiency by displacing fossil-fuelled electricity production from the grid, as well as reduces the cost and environmental impacts associated with the importation of fossil fuels.
- The project’s emission factor is assessed to be 0.9915 tCO2e per megawatt (MW) of power produced. This means that for every MW of production the project prevents 0.9915 tonnes of emissions being generated by the country’s fossil fuel power facilities.
- The plant achieved a total of 21,847 tonnes CO2e verified emission reductions during the verification period (Jan. – Dec. 2023) and has been operating successfully since this period.
Benefits: Social & Economic
There are socio-economic benefits of the project activity including employment, and training & education opportunities for local residents. The project hired 175 people for the construction phase of the plant and employs 10-15 full-time operation and maintenance technicians to support its operations. Additionally, the project has provided educational training in organic farming & financial support to local agricultural farmers, as well as climate awareness training to the island’s students.
Project Verification
