Eyes on new energy
By Indradev Curpen
Published on 28th March, 2008
Joël de Rosnay, eminent scientist and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, is ready with plans to make of Mauritius a sustainable island in the next 20 years, with the help of the public sector, the civil society, the universities and other stakeholders.
Making Mauritius a sustainable island
The scientist says that Mauritius possesses the requisite energy mix to succeed in this endeavour - solar energy for water heaters; photovoltaic batteries for electricity production; sugar cane for the production of ethanol; the wind for the production of wind energy and hydroelectricity. Added to these is bio-gas produced from solid wastes.
However, Joël de Rosnay says, the population must be mobilised around the project. An Eco-park can also be created to allow not only Mauritians but also tourists to appreciate the importance of clean energy production from the sun, the wind, biomass, hydrogen and biogas. Schoolchildren should be taught the importance of environment protection . Youngsters need to be taught how to save energy and promote sustainable development.
“We can also launch a project with an international spectrum by organising a big forum on the Environment, a “Davos Ecological Forum” for example every two years. Anyway, we'll be organising a 'World Ecological Forum' in Mauritius in 2011. This will urge world political leaders to come here to study the problem, as well as industrialists, non-governmental organisations, the international press and scientists and researchers. 'Mauritius a sustainable island' could be a role model for the whole world,” he says.
The scientist also met the top guns of the local private sector at the Labourdonnais Hotel on Tuesday, March 25.
“ My role is that of a facilitator, a catalyst. This is the first time that there is a sharing of experiences to further the same together,” he told News on Sunday at the end of the meeting.
Joël de Rosnay says the approach to the renewable energy development of Mauritius should be based on serious researches and reports. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has already in its Master Plan 2007 enumerated forecasts in the fields of energy production for Mauritius until 2013/2025. There are also data published in two studies made on gas emissions with greenhouse effects on Mauritius, prepared and submitted to the United Nations Development Program.
Joël de Rosnay is all praise for the PM's personal interest in the project. The PM has even announced the setting up of a task force, including the finance, energy, tourism, environment and education sectors to monitor the project in partnership with all stakeholders, like the CEB and Independent Power Producers; Investors, funding agencies, representatives of the BOI, JEC and of the Hotel industry as well as researchers.
However, Joël de Rosnay says, the population must be mobilised around the project. An Eco-park can also be created to allow not only Mauritians but also tourists to appreciate the importance of clean energy production from the sun, the wind, biomass, hydrogen and biogas. Schoolchildren should be taught the importance of environment protection . Youngsters need to be taught how to save energy and promote sustainable development.
“We can also launch a project with an international spectrum by organising a big forum on the Environment, a “Davos Ecological Forum” for example every two years. Anyway, we'll be organising a 'World Ecological Forum' in Mauritius in 2011. This will urge world political leaders to come here to study the problem, as well as industrialists, non-governmental organisations, the international press and scientists and researchers. 'Mauritius a sustainable island' could be a role model for the whole world,” he says.
The scientist also met the top guns of the local private sector at the Labourdonnais Hotel on Tuesday, March 25.
“ My role is that of a facilitator, a catalyst. This is the first time that there is a sharing of experiences to further the same together,” he told News on Sunday at the end of the meeting.
Joël de Rosnay says the approach to the renewable energy development of Mauritius should be based on serious researches and reports. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has already in its Master Plan 2007 enumerated forecasts in the fields of energy production for Mauritius until 2013/2025. There are also data published in two studies made on gas emissions with greenhouse effects on Mauritius, prepared and submitted to the United Nations Development Program.
Joël de Rosnay is all praise for the PM's personal interest in the project. The PM has even announced the setting up of a task force, including the finance, energy, tourism, environment and education sectors to monitor the project in partnership with all stakeholders, like the CEB and Independent Power Producers; Investors, funding agencies, representatives of the BOI, JEC and of the Hotel industry as well as researchers.