|
(Date Posted:17/06/2008 11:28:37)
The rising demand in energy and the soaring prices of oil urge the Government to adopt the strategy of Building a Green future for Mauritius through the Maurice Ile Durable (MID) concept, thereby shifting to local renewable sources of energy away from imported fossil fuel. A Maurice Ile Durable Fund with wider references will replace the National Energy Fund. The object of the new Fund, for which Rs 1.3 billion have been earmarked, is to step up efforts to protect the environment through recycling, to encourage more efficient use of energy and to increase reliance on renewable energy. A number of measures are being introduced in the context of MID. Thus Summer Time is being introduced on a pilot basis. The clock will be moved forward one hour as from 1st November 2008 to 31st March 2009. A new grid code is also being charted whereby Government will encourage all households as well as businesses to produce electricity with emerging technologies for renewable energy and guarantees that CEB will buy their renewable energy at a premium. A new solar water heater loan scheme by the DBM will allow for a grant of Rs 10,000 for every solar water heater purchased through that scheme until December 2009. A token MID levy of 15 cents per litre on all petroleum products, 15 cents per kilo on LPG and 15 cents per kilo of coal, is being introduced. It will be paid into the MID Fund. Main projects - Setting up an independent Utility Regulatory Authority for the operation of the electricity market.
- Launching of a PPP project at Bigara for 25 to 40 megawatts (MW) of wind energy at an estimated cost of Rs 1 billion.
- Setting up of two new hydro units by the CEB at Midlands Dam and La Nicolière.
- Developing the Landfill Gas potential at Mare Chicose and using the gas for power generation.
- Burning solid waste for electricity production.
- Exploring the use of cane field residues mixed with bagasse as boiler fuel.
- Establishment of an "Observatoire de l'Énergie."
- The use of energy savings lamps for street lighting and for households.
- Measures to reduce pollution due to traffic and to encourage greater use of public transport.
• Strengthening the institutional and legal frameworks relating to the energy sector.
--------------------------------------------------------------
www.arshaad.net | arshaad16@gmail.com |
|
