Mauritius: The Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth has called on the families registered under the Social Register of Mauritius to opt for the Home Solar Project so as to make significant savings on their energy bill by producing their own electricity and consequently contribute to a more sustainable environment.
The Prime Minister spoke at the launching of an outreach programme in the context of the implementation of Phase II of the Home Solar Project, at the New NHDC Complex in Dagotière. The Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard, Member of Parliament, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden, and other personalities were also present at the event.
PM also recalled that the project, an initiative of the Central Electricity Board (CEB), aims at helping low-income communities to become energy sufficient, save energy costs as well as enhance their quality of life. The beneficiaries will receive 75 units of free electricity every month over 20 years, he pointed out.
He indicated that the project comprises free installation of solar photovoltaic systems on rooftops of 10 000 households in Social Category Tariff 110A by the CEB and CEB Green Energy Co. Ltd. The project, he highlighted, is in line with Government’s efforts to alleviate poverty whilst contributing to the national target of achieving 60 % of renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030. Mr Jugnauth remarked that it is a daunting task to achieve the objective adding that Government is implementing several projects to this end. He also called on the collaboration of the private sector and the population to meet the target.
Further, the Prime Minister lauded the CEB for embarking on the Home Solar Project which according to him aligns with Government’s strong strategic vision to foster innovation and encourage the development of a technologically advanced, green and modern Mauritius. He, therefore, emphasised on the importance for authorities to continuously tap on technological advancement to become more efficient and accelerate development in the country.
He expressed satisfaction as regard the positive number of households coming forward to register for the Home Solar Project and expects the demand to keep growing in the future.
It is recalled that Phase I of the Home Solar Project was launched in 2019 wherein 1 000 vulnerable families across the island benefitted from the Scheme. A loan has been obtained from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the International Renewable Energy Agency for the implementation of this project.
