“Energy availability is very important, even when we talk about solar panels and wind turbines: initially, energy from these sources was very expensive, but thanks to technology, it has come down. In the coming years, the use of these sources will be balanced by energy storage systems,” Essackjee noted.
According toEssackjee, in the 1960s, hydroelectric power plants and plants using bagasse, that is, sugar cane waste, played a main role in Mauritius’s energy supply. However, as energy demand grew, coal and oil-fired power plants began to play a decisive role, and Mauritius has no plans to abandon them just yet.
“Finding the optimal balance is a challenge for scientists, engineers and regulators,” Essackjee summarised.
