In Maurice Ile Durable (MID) the goals on the renewable energy from wind and solar are set out clearly.

If we are to achieve the target of 20% of our energy need from such renewable energy by 2025, our foremost priority should be to set up a renewable energy

Policy Unit within the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities. As there is tremendous work to be done for renewable energy within the concept of MID it is for the Ministry to make use of scientific and technological means to achieve that goal.

The renewable energy Policy Unit should work in close collaboration with the following institutions:

(a) Central Electricity Board

(b Maurice Ile Durable / Mauritius Research Council

(c ) Ministry of Environment and Sustainability

These institutions would have to cope with the many challenges on the renewable energy sector and working together for the same national purpose, will no doubt create positive results to attain the goal.

Following our Prime Minister’s visit to Reunion Island, the solar energy was identified as a potential sector whereby our neighbour has a competitive advantage. We can build on it and eventually improve on the technology used in order to make it more competitive. The recent in the price of photovoltaic panels will no doubt lead to the implementation of solar projects at affordable costs.

Mauritius is looking for assistance from the Government of India in the renewable energy sector and there is no doubt that this is a positive move. The high level visit by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the Indian Minister for New and Renewable Energy, has already offered “l’expertise indienne” to our Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy. According to the Indian High Commission a team of expert is also coming shortly to help training and more importantly for setting a wind atlas methodology.

Within the concept of the democratisation of our energy sector a Feed-In- Tariff for Domestic use was set up. The quota set by the CEB was oversubscribed in December 2011. Henceforth the CEB is not accepting any further application under the former Feed-In- Tariffs for domestic use.

It means that at present anyone interested to invest in domestic solar renewable energy is not being processed by the CEB. This is not only counter productive but is also against the policy of government on renewable energy and the concept of MID. In case the CEB finds the Feed-In-Tariffs for the energy exported to their grid is expensive then they should consider revising it downwards rather than suspending it.

In the spirit of national interest a Renewable Energy Policy Unit as referred earlier on will give results to attain the goal and it is now up to the decision makers to take such decision.