Ameet Shah: “Mauritius is positioning itself to be the clean energy hub for East Africa”

Solar power can be a very important piece of the energy puzzle in solving Mauritius’ energy needs, according to co-chairman and director of Astonfield Renewables.

BUSINESSMAG. The construction of 2 x 2 MW solar farms in Mauritius represents the first major project for Astonfield. What are the advantages that Mauritius represents for the company? 

Having headquartered our global operations in Mauritius since 2008, we are delighted to have been awarded these two solar projects in Mauritius after a tender exercise. These will be the first set of solar projects for Astonfield in Mauritius. Astonfield currently has over 20 MW of operational assets, 17 MW under construction, 270 MW under advanced development, in India, the Middle East and East Africa.

One of the advantages is the commitment by the government of bringing clean, renewable energy to its people and local commercial businesses through a well-defined plan and associated regulatory framework. We hope to be a long-term partner with the authorities, and we believe solar power can be a very important piece of the energy puzzle in solving the country’s energy needs.

The second advantage is that, through its commitment to renewable energy, Mauritius is positioning itself to be the clean energy hub for East Africa and show its neighbours how a successful solar program can be implemented. Astonfield plans to use the country’s well-established banking and financial system as a launch pad for financing future solar projects in East Africa.

A third, and perhaps the most important, advantage is the island’s great domestic energy resource: sunlight. Non-polluting, free of cost, abundant and reliable, solar power will play a significant role in supporting Mauritius’ renewable energy sector growth, and we look forward to being part of the journey.

BUSINESSMAG. How do you assess the renewable energy sector in Mauritius, in comparison with India and the US, where the company is based? 

Solar renewable energy sector is still relatively young in Mauritius. By comparison the sectors in India and particularly the United States are more established. These markets are also very different: energy costs per kWh are substantially higher in an island nation like Mauritius due to its dependency on diesel. The electricity system is much smaller by comparison, which prohibits economies of scale, making it much more expensive to operate. Lack of access to a national grid like mainland utilities also requires Mauritius to maintain greater power reserves.

BUSINESSMAG. How can Mauritius and India reinforce their collaboration in order to better embrace renewable energies? 

Mauritius and India share a unique bilateral relationship and share close traditional and political ties. It is natural that collaboration between the two countries could produce fruitful and positive results.

In the past, India has offered assistance to Mauritius as it developed its renewable energy sector by committing to increasing Indian initiatives in capacity building and support in design and policy framework for renewable energy initiatives. India has also provided support to Mauritius by sending experts to train Mauritian scientists and technicians in solar and wind energy.

The Indian cost leadership in renewables such as solar power generation can be extremely helpful to Mauritius in bringing down its energy costs. Greater technical collaboration will lead to mutual benefits in the fields of grid stabilization and engineering to withstand adverse climate conditions...

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