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Mauritius Island Nation Chapter j 15 293


             technologies that have the ability to steer the country to not only achieve at
             least 35% RE by 2025 but also target 100% by 2050.


             OPTIONS FOR A 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM BY
             2050
             Our plan envisions an overarching energy system, encompassing not only
             electricity but also transport and cooling, which relies entirely on renewable
             resources. The transition to the 100% RE system must continue to reach the
             ultimate objective of achieving total energy self-sufficiency and security.
             Domestic expansion of RE production will underpin this transformation,
             focusing on technologies appropriate for the resource profile of Mauritius.
             However, acquiring a formal political commitment by Mauritius to this
             ambitious endeavor is essential. This will help to garner the support of all
             stakeholders, including the people, by granting an official mandate for action.
             Energy efficiency represents another prerequisite for achieving a 100% RE
             future. Promoting a more efficient energy infrastructure will help to decouple
             economic growth from increased energy demand, leading to a reduction in
             additional generation capacity requirements. This section details the renewable
             technologies that have the potential to turn the 100% renewable future into a
             reality by 2050. The deployment of these technologies can be backed by
             financial incentives and concerted efforts to unblock crosscutting nonfinancial
             obstacles. In addition to financial support from the government, it is also
             essential for the private sector to be supportive. Although it is also crucial to
             secure initial support from international organizations in the form of finance,
             technology development and transfer, and capacity building, the country
             should strive for economical independence in the long term to sustain the RE
             transition. The Global Environmental Fund of the United Nations has already
             earmarked USD 2 million to help remove barriers to effective deployment of
             solar energy in Mauritius. In 2013, the European Union launched a 15 million
             Euros program for the development of RE and the improvement of energy
             efficiency in the islands of the Indian Ocean (IOC, 2016). The support of the
             Green Climate Fund has been sought for the operationalization of the newly
             created Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency to oversee the development of
             RE in Mauritius. The island has also engaged in synergies with regional blocks
             such as Southern African Development Community, Indian Ocean Commis-
             sion, and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa to promote RE and
             energy efficiency programs (MoESDDBM, 2015).


             Hydrogen Power and Electric Vehicles
             As mentioned in the section Primary Energy Requirements, transportation is
             the largest energy end user in Mauritius, accounting for over half of the
             primary energy consumption. It is therefore the obvious place to start when
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