LocationsThus far, a total of 500 PV kits have already been deployed.
GCF Project: 46 households receive free rooftop photovoltaic kits at Résidence Muguet, Montagne Longue
May 29, 2023
These solar PV kits are being deployed at no cost to beneficiaries.
Photo: UNDP Mauritius/Stéphane Bellerose
The Central Electricity Board, in collaboration with the UNDP Country Office for Mauritius, has provided free rooftop photovoltaic kits to 46 households of Résidence Muguet, a National Housing Company Ltd (NHDC Ltd) settlement in Montagne Longue. This initiative is rolled out under the Government of Mauritius-implemented, UNDP-supported and Green Climate Fund-funded ‘Accelerating the transformational shift to a low carbon economy in the Republic of Mauritius' project (GCF Project).
To celebrate this achievement, an Inauguration Ceremony was held at Résidence Muguet on Saturday, 27 May 2003. The event was attended by the Honourable Louis Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning and Minister of Tourism; the Honourable Georges Pierre Lesjongard, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, and Ms. Amanda Serumaga, UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles, along with other dignitaries and members of the community.
One of the main objectives of the $28M GCF project is to equip some 3,500 households with 1.5 kWp solar PV kits and provide them 75 free units of electricity monthly over a 20-year period, under the CEB Home Solar Project II scheme. Thus far, 500 PV kits, valued at MUR 100,000 each, have been deployed at no cost to beneficiaries in Mauritius and Rodrigues, with a target of reaching 2,000 households by the end of 2023.
During the event, the Honourable Louis Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, and Minister of Tourism, commended both the CEB and the UNDP for their joint efforts in providing renewable energy to low-income households. He also mentioned that Résidence Muguet serves as a successful example of addressing the country's housing needs while promoting renewable energy.
Honourable Georges Pierre Lesjongard, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, emphasized the government's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning towards a low-carbon economy. Minister Lesjongard emphasized the government's determination to phase out coal and achieve 60% renewable energy by 2030. He further announced that all future houses built by the National Housing Development Company Ltd will be equipped with rooftop photovoltaic kits.
Ms. Amanda Serumaga, UNDP Resident Representative, acknowledged the efforts of CEB and the government of Mauritius in reducing the country's reliance on fossil fuels while providing renewable energy solutions to low-income households. She further emphasized the significance of sustainable partnerships to fight climate change and the active involvement of women in economic transformation to ensure successful development in the future.
The Montage Longue event is the second major outreach event held after the first one at NHDC Dagotière on 18 March 2023, which saw the participation of the Honourable Prime Minister, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. These initiatives to provide free rooftop photovoltaic kits to households demonstrate a crucial step towards sustainable and affordable energy solutions for communities in Mauritius. Further outreach sessions will be held by CEB and UNDP, under the GCF Project, across the country to encourage households to apply and obtain a free solar PV kit under the CEB HSP II scheme.