The Government of Mauritius has inaugurated a 20 MW grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Amaury Sub-station, marking a significant stride towards its ambitious goal of achieving 60% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Georges Pierre Lesjongard, and other dignitaries, underscores the nation’s commitment to a sustainable energy future.
BESS: A Key Player in Grid Stability and Energy Management
This BESS will play a pivotal role in stabilizing the grid frequency, accommodating the increasing integration of intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Furthermore, it will optimize energy management, minimize wastage, and conserve valuable natural resources.
Minister Lesjongard emphasized that the 20 MW BESS aligns perfectly with the Government’s policy to promote renewable and clean energy.
This initiative aims to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and achieve a 40% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The Minister envisions green energy as a cornerstone of the economy, with renewable sources meeting 60% of the country’s energy needs by 2030, alongside the complete phase-out of coal usage.
BESS to Enhance Green Energy Integration and Reduce Dependence on Conventional Generators
The introduction of the BESS will enhance the storage capacity and integration of green energy into the national grid, ensuring a reliable supply to meet growing demand, particularly during peak evening hours. By harnessing renewable sources like solar photovoltaic energy to charge these batteries, the BESS will also contribute to reducing dependence on conventional generators. This strategic move will propel Mauritius closer to its target of incorporating 60% renewable energy into the energy mix by 2030.
Minister Lesjongard recounted the Central Electricity Board’s (CEB) numerous projects aimed at integrating more green energy into the grid. The initial 2 MW phase, commissioned in 2018, installed capacity at the Amaury and Henrietta sub-stations.
Subsequently, 14 MW were distributed across CEB sub-stations in La Tour Koenig, Anahita, Wooton, and Jin fei. The Minister stressed that these initiatives reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the phase-out of coal in electricity generation.
CEB’s Focus on Reliable Electricity Supply and Renewable Energy Expansion
Rajden Chowdharry, the General Manager of CEB, highlighted that with the new 20 MW BESS, the CEB now boasts a total grid-scale BESS capacity of 38 MW. He emphasized the organization’s primary goal of ensuring a consistent and timely electricity supply to meet the population’s needs. Chowdharry also stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to harness renewable energy sources while promoting energy mix diversification and reducing reliance on coal.
BESS: A Critical Step towards a Stable and Resilient Power Grid
Chowdharry further noted that this deployment is a significant milestone towards establishing a stable and resilient national power grid, serving as a buffer to mitigate frequency and voltage fluctuations. Moreover, the BESS’s peak shaving capability will effectively address peak evening demand, further reducing reliance on conventional peak generators.
Siemens France: Leading Provider of Advanced Battery Storage Technology
The 20 MW BESS, valued at Rs 700 million, was supplied, installed, and commissioned by SIEMENS France, a globally recognized leader in industrial electrical and electronic systems, specializing in utility-scale battery storage.
The BESS features state-of-the-art lithium-ion, high-efficiency battery module technology with an impressively low response time of under 20 milliseconds. Its containerized design ensures both standardized sizing and customization for enhanced wall structure, soundproofing, weatherproofing, and overall reinforcement.