In view of the energy policy for fuelling the future by the Government, the Rose Belle Sugar Estate Board (RBSEB) is seeking to engage into Strategic Partnerships with good industry knowhow to maintain a reasonable share in the energy production sector in the long run.

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) FARM

Solar Farms are the most direct way to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Furthermore, solar energy is a locally available renewable resource.

The vision of the Rose Belle Sugar Estate Board is to help in the production of electricity locally.

With new technological advancement, the price of PV modules is expected to drop in the long-term making PV a viable option. The average daily sunshine intensity of Mauritius adds to this advantage.

Solar Photovoltaic

The RBSEB is in the view that it would be to the advantage of the Estate to be involved in the production of Green Energy to be sold to the CEB. Furthermore, the RBSEB has land situated in strategic locations in the southern region of Eau Bleue favouring the required climatic conditions for such production of electricity.

This will reduce environmental impacts associated with transportation and also reduce our dependence on imported oil. And, unlike fuels that are mined and exploited, when we use solar energy to produce electricity, we do not deplete or alter natural resources.

The Solar PV Farm will feed into the local electricity grid using a free source of energy to generate electricity on bright cloudy days as well as in direct sunlight. The electricity can then be sold to the CEB at a guaranteed rate, contributing hence to the welfare of the country.

WIND POWER GENERATION FARM

The setting up of the wind farm is in line with the policy of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities to accommodate renewable energy facilities. Wind energy doesn’t pollute like power plants that rely on combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, nor does it produce atmospheric emissions causing acid rain or greenhouse gases.

With the adoption of worldwide green policy in energy production, major technological breakthroughs in wind energy with greater cost reductions are expected in the coming years. This is a big opportunity to develop new areas of activities, improve our self-reliance and create jobs. This will help in contributing to the welfare of the country while being in line with the Government policy.

The Wind Farm will comprise of wind turbines with proven records to resist cyclonic gusts of the order of 280 km/hr. Wind turbines convert wind kinetic energy into mechanical power. The latter can be used for specific tasks such as converting this power into electricity. The potential energy produced from wind is directly proportional to the cube of the wind speed. As a result, increased wind speeds of only a few miles per hour can produce a significantly larger amount of electricity.

Mauritius, being exposed to the South East trade winds, has a good wind regime for installation of wind turbines. Given the fact that the wind speed is more significant in the south regions, the region of Rose Belle is very conducive for wind energy exploitation.

The ridge of Mountain range has been earmarked for the Wind Power Generation Farm for the production of electricity, which can then be sold to the CEB.