French independent power producer (IPP) Qair says it will supply clean energy from 60 MW AC hybrid solar power and battery storage capacity in Mauritius to Central Electricity Board (CEB) and calls it the largest investment in energy sector over the last 15 years & one among largest in the Indian Ocean.
It has signed 4 power purchase agreements (PPA) with CEB for the cumulative 60 MW AC capacity that is accompanied by battery energy storage systems (BESS). Projects will be built for an investment worth MUR 7 billion ($163 million).
Of the 4 projects, SS1 and SS2 are situated in Trou d'Eau Douce, SS3 in Balaclava and SS4 in Petite-Rivière regions. Construction for all 4 facilities is planned for 2023 and commissioning in 2024.
Qair is already present in Mauritius through a local solar and wind power company called Qair Mauritius that operates 2 solar farms with 25.3 MW capacity and a 9.3 MW wind power project.
"As a well-established player in Mauritius with three power plants currently in operation totaling 35 MW, we are pleased to accelerate our contribution to the country's ambition to reach a 60% share of renewable energy in its electricity mix by 2030, phasing out coal," said Managing Director at Qair Mauritius, Olivier Gaering.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the African nation had installed around 83 MW solar PV capacity till 2021-end which was the same as at the end of 2020-end.