Renewable energy exploitation in the small island developing state of Mauritius: Current practice and future potential

Abstract

Mauritius is highly reliant on fossil fuels for meeting its increasing energy demands. However, a lot of effort has been made over the years to shift towards renewable energies. This study investigated the current status of renewable energy exploitation in Mauritius while also considering other potential energy sources to further increase the contribution of renewable energy in the energy mix of the island. Among the different renewable energies studied, sugarcane bagasse combustion for electricity generation remains the main contributor followed by hydroelectricity. Considering solar and wind energy, several attempts have been made to promote the use of these two renewable energy sources but their contributions are still very low. However, solar energy, in the form of solar water heaters and photovoltaic panels, is being increasingly tapped while wind energy exploitation is also expected to further increase in the future. Furthermore, this study reviewed the huge potential of renewable energies from the ocean such as wave energy and ocean thermal energy conversion systems. Geothermal energy, often claimed as a promising renewable energy resource for Mauritius, was found to be unfeasible for the island. Another renewable energy resource, of huge potential, that is not fully explored on the island is bio-energy from biomass and waste materials, having an energy potential of 12PJ/year. From the different sources of bio-energy investigated, sugarcane trash has the highest energy potential followed by the organic fractions of municipal solid wastes and animal manures. Finally, this study reviewed the different policies and legal and institutional frameworks governing energy in Mauritius while also addressing the several challenges for promotion of renewable energy on the island. For Mauritius to be energy sustainable, all the diverse renewable energy resources will need to be exploited such that the island has an energy-secured situation, far from the uncertainties surrounding fossil fuels.