The Australian High Commission in Mauritius in partnership with HSBC hosted a high-level renewable energy roundtable for Australian and Mauritian stakeholders in the energy sector on Thursday 26 June which was attended by the Mauritian Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, the Hon. Patrick Assirvaden; the Junior Minister of Finance, the Hon. Dhaneshwar Damry and the Junior Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, the Hon. Fabrice David
The roundtable which was organised under the theme “Cooperation Towards Energy Security”, gathered prominent figures from the energy sectors from both countries, including representatives from the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA), the Central Electricity Board (CEB), the Economic Development Board (EDB), senior Mauritian Government officials, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, South Australian Power Network and Energy Market Operators and South Australian Government officials. This pivotal event marked a significant step in Mauritius’ journey toward a sustainable and renewable energy future.
In the opening remarks, the Honourable Dhaneshwar Damry, Junior Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Fabrice David, Junior Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries highlighted the government’s dedication to tackling Mauritius’ energy challenges and underscored the importance of collaborative dialogues such as this one.
Mauritius is at a pivotal juncture in its energy transformation. Faced with the dual pressures of rising electricity demand and reliance on fossil fuel imports, the government has identified renewable energy as a strategic priority. Addressing the audience in his keynote speech, Patrick Assirvaden, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a sustainable future.
“Mauritius has no choice but to be more aggressive in its green energy transition programme. We have to make the most of the natural resources that we are blessed with. This will also bring down energy costs and reduce reliance on imported energy fuel. This Government is committed to achieve the target of 60% RE in the electricity mix and phasing out of coal for electricity generation. We might not reach there in 2030 but we are certainly working to have a realistic and practical roadmap to make it happen at the soonest.” said Minister Assirvaden.
The Minister unveiled several major initiatives that will drive Mauritius’ renewable energy agenda forward, including:
- A target of adding 300-400 MW of renewable energy capacity over the next three years.
- The advancement of innovative energy solutions, such as developing a 15 MW floating photovoltaic (PV) system at Tamarind Falls and scaling Agri-PV projects to 2 MW across multiple sites.
- The exploration of new opportunities in ocean renewables and biomass, leveraging Mauritius’ natural resources to reduce energy costs.
- The modernisation of grid infrastructure, including the adoption of hybrid solar projects and advanced battery storage systems to ensure a stable electricity supply despite the intermittency of solar and wind power.
These initiatives align with Mauritius’ 2025-2029 Government Program, which seeks to foster a green, resilient energy sector. Minister Assirvaden emphasized the importance of international partnerships, particularly with countries like Australia, whose experience offers vital insights.
The roundtable also included a presentation by Mr. David Ridgway, Agent General in the United Kingdom for the Government of South Australia, detailing South Australia’s remarkable transition from blackouts in 2006 to achieving a 75% renewable energy mix by 2024. Mr. Ridgway’s insights demonstrated the socioeconomic benefits of renewable energy, from job creation to heightened energy independence.
Another integral aspect of the program featured HSBC’s Global Head for Clean Power Systems, Mr. Randolph Brazier, and technical experts from ElectraNet and South Australia Power Networks. They detailed innovative renewable energy financing models and showcased how South Australian operators integrated renewables into their grid while maintaining safety and stability.
“The success of South Australia offers a blueprint for Mauritius as it accelerates its energy efforts,” said Hajrah Sakauloo, HSBC’s CEO in Mauritius. “HSBC is devoted to leveraging its global expertise to support Mauritius in securing sustainable financing for a green energy future.”
H E Mrs Kate Chamley, the Australian High Commissioner added “Australia is decarbonising and building new green industries. We can share this expertise to help others decarbonise and address the climate crisis, including Mauritius. This high-level roundtable brought together key stakeholders from our two countries to explore innovative energy transition solutions. Supporting connections between our governments, industry leaders and energy operators can accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies and a more sustainable future.”
The event laid the groundwork for Mauritius’ policymakers and energy leaders to further study South Australia’s strategies and explore their potential applications in Mauritius.
