Mauritius is to undertake a record ramp-up of its Mauritius 140MW Solar Storage Projects, with the island nation reaffirming its targets for renewable growth and grid stability. This globally leading tender, by Central Electricity Board (CEB), is a support pillar for Mauritius’s Renewable Energy Roadmap with its 35 % by 2025 and 60 % by 2030 targets. The Mauritius Renewable Energy Integration scheme responds to intermittency and overall system reliability by marrying photovoltaic generation with utility-scale battery storage. Why 140 MW Matters
l Scale for impact
Four standalone solar-plus-storage power plants, each up to 35 MW, will deliver the national grid 140 MW of dispatchable renewable electricity.
l Grid stability
Large batteries will absorb surplus solar and discharge during high-demand or low-sun periods, adding flexibility to the system and lowering the use of imported fossil fuels.
l Emissions reduction
With displacement of oil and coal-based generation, the projects will lower greenhouse-gas emissions by an estimated 150 kt CO₂ annually, assisting Mauritius in meeting its Environmentally Friendly Energy vision.
Key Players of the Mauritius Energy Storage Market
Central Electricity Board (CEB)
CEB bid and will deliver interconnection to grid, operation, and maintenance for each Container Energy Storage Technology plant, establishing itself as the pre-eminent utility partner.
Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
These solar-storage facilities will be built, developed, and financed by private developers on a long-term PPA framework. Mauritius Energy Storage Market Players have the privilege of access to low-cost finance from national green funds as well as multilateral organizations.
Financiers & Policy Support
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Green Climate Fund supported prior solar-kit deployments on an earlier basis; similar assistance will be forthcoming to cover these increased storage efforts, in support of Policy Support to support global climate objectives.
Technology & Best Practices
Solar PV Container Integration
Modular Solar PV Containers—complete turnkey solutions consisting of panels, inverters, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)—will be employed for each block of 35 MW. Miniaturization at this scale facilitates fast deployment and maintenance using standardized procedures.
Energy Storage Best Practices
1. Advanced Controls
Real-time monitoring by Energy Management Systems (EMS) maximizes charge/discharge cycles and battery longevity.
2. Safety & Redundancy
Six-layer safeguard (over/under voltage, heat, fire suppress) guards against assets and people.
3. Predictive Maintenance
Off-site diagnostics detect cell degradation early on, reducing downtime and O&M costs.
Market Dynamics & Future Outlook
Tender Dynamics
April 2024 tender witnessed over a dozen consortia, a testament to the high level of confidence in the island’s Energy Storage Market Dynamics and investors’ interest.
Roadmap to 2030
Mauritius is due to come on-stream with 72 MW solar, 33 MW biomass, and 20 MW waste-to-energy in 2025—paving the way for the 140 MW solar-storage launch, a tipping point for Sustainable Energy.
Skills & Local Content
Government mandate for 30 % local employment, creating skills in Energy Storage System Best Practice and expanding green-tech industry locally.
Implementation Steps & Recommendations
1. Phased Commissioning
Staggered block commissioning (Q4 2025–Q2 2026) to allow for testing of integration protocols and developing operating strategies.
2. Stakeholder Engagement
Semi-regular workshops with IPPs, regulators, and community groups for transparent discussion and social acceptance.
3. Grid Resilience Drills
Island-wide blackstart simulation using BESS to demonstrate Grid Resilience capabilities before commercial operation.
4. Knowledge Transfer
Collaboration with vocational schools for in-shop training in battery servicing, inverter calibration, and EMS installation.