The Central Electricity Board (CEB) of Mauritius has launched a tender process to procure consultancy services for a 15 MW solar plant. The process — nice conducted under Section 16 of the Public Procurement Act 2006 — requires applications to be submitted by May 22 under reference number OAB-CPR-2024-6011.
Both Local and Foreign can Apply
To facilitate the construction of a 15 MW solar plant, the Central Electricity Board of Mauritius has launched a call for proposals. Selected consultants will act as independent engineers in this capacity. Applications are welcome from both foreign consulting firms and Mauritius-based organisations, and the Central Electricity Board website has extensive details.
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“Please ensure that proposals for the project titled "OAB-CPR-2024-6011: Consultancy Services for Independent Engineering in the Implementation of a 15MWac Solar Farm" are submitted no later than 13:30 Mauritian Time on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered,” the Central Electricity Board announced.
Proposals can be delivered to the Tender Box at the Central Electricity Board office on Royal Road in Curepipe, Republic of Mauritius, or sent via registered post or Courier Service to the same address. Bids will be opened on May 22, 2024, in the presence of attending bidders or their representatives.
Renewable-generated Electricity to Increase by 14% Next Year
The energy policy of Mauritius' government promotes the adoption of renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources to diminish reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Plans have been announced to elevate the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources from 21% to 35% by 2025.
This objective will be pursued through initiatives including wind farms, solar power, biomass, wave energy, and waste-to-energy projects. Bagasse — the residue from sugarcane processing — currently accounts for the majority of renewable energy production at 89%. Other sources of renewable electricity generation in Mauritius include hydro, wind, landfill gas, fuelwood, and solar energy.
Mauritius had deployed 108 MW of solar by the end of 2023, according to figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Home Solar Project Scheme
Recently, the CEB initiated the deployment of solar PV systems through the Home Solar Project (HSP) scheme, with concessional finance provided by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). A total of USD 10 million was allocated under the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility, covering half of the project's costs, with the remaining funding sourced from the CEB.
The ADFD and IRENA teams approved the CEB's plan to install 10,000 solar PV systems on residential rooftops across Mauritius. They recognized the environmental, socioeconomic, and strategic advantages of rooftop solar PV for the island nation — particularly its suitability as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS).
This initiative aligns with Mauritius' commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and embracing cleaner energy sources. Upon completion, the project will boast a total capacity of 10 megawatts (MW), resulting in significant reductions of 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and annual savings of USD 400,000. Moreover, it will contribute to decreasing the country's dependence on diesel fuels.
Denis Trevedy, a resident of Dagotière in Mauritius, highlights the initial impact of the initiative: “The most noticeable benefit for us was the significant reduction in our electricity bills. Experiencing a decrease of over 50% was truly remarkable. As word spread about the savings we were achieving, there was a surge of interest from everyone.”
Free Installation of Solar Panels
The project concentrates on introducing rooftop solar modules to social housing complexes, providing and installing the panels free of charge for eligible households. To increase awareness and participation among qualifying households, the CEB has implemented a successful outreach program and awareness campaign, resulting in the installation of solar systems for 2,000 households.
The Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities oversees the CEB, which is the only agency in Mauritius responsible for the transmission, distribution, and sale of energy. Currently, CEB's eight hydroelectric plants and four thermal power plants provide 40% of the nation's overall electricity needs. The remaining 60% is bought from independent power providers, primarily private firms that use imported coal and bagasse from the sugarcane industry.