Meeting the Challenges for Increasing the Share of Variable Renewable Energy in the Generation Mix of Mauritius

Abstract: As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Mauritius is exceptionally vulnerable. It faces similar threats to its survival as other SIDS, which include, inter alia, a strong reliance on a depleting natural resource base, loss of biodiversity and degradation of essential components of the ecosystem, and a heavy dependency on fossil fuels and other imported commodities that support society. Climate change, long distances that separating Mauritius from Africa and Asia, coupled with rising fuel costs exacerbates the situation considerably. Unless substantial and effective interventions are put in place soonest, the current and future generations may not be able to meet their needs. Being aware of the susceptibility of the island towards energy security, the Government of Mauritius is focused on diversifying the country’s energy supply, improving energy efficiency, addressing environmental and climate changes and modernizing our energy infrastructure in order to meet the challenges ahead. Besides security of supply and affordability the Government is attempting a rapid shift to a low carbon, efficient and environmentally benign energy system. This policy is integrated in a Long-Term Energy Strategy (LTES) that aims at reducing the dependency on fossil fuels and promoting energy generation from local renewable sources. However, increasing the current share of renewable energy from 20% to 35% by 2025 as  provided in the LTES, implies major investment in both RE technologies and at the same time in research studies in view to mitigate the upcoming challenges with increasing renewable generations in particular caused by VRE sources such as wind and solar. The aim of this thesis is therefore to identify the major problems and complexities arising with increasing share of VRE more specifically related to grid stability, security operation and power quality. The various problems related to unconscious continuous addition of VRE were identified and solutions were proposed on how to mitigate them in order to be able to reach the RE targets set out in the LTES.