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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