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Interview

Mr Pierre Marouby,

CEO of GreenYellow

The GreenYellow 14MWac solar farm, located at Arsenal, in the north-western part of the Island, was inaugurated on Thursday 08 February 2024 by Hon. Georges Pierre Lesjongard, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities. This solar farm follows the execution of a 2021 tender launched by the CEB and will generate some 22,5 GwH of electricity annually, contributing towards our target of 60% of renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030.

1. Mr Mouraby, the GreenYellow 14 MWac solar farm is the third largest solar project undertaken by GreenYellow in Mauritius. Please elaborate on GreenYellow’s operations in Mauritius and its future ambitions?

We would like in the first stance to thank the Economic Development Board (EDB) for extending its facilitation services which was crucial in the materialization of the Arsenal solar farm.

GreenYellow's story began in the Indian Ocean region, specifically in Réunion, in 2010, with the inauguration of its first photovoltaic carport at a supermarket. Recognizing Mauritius's potential, the company swiftly engaged in this new market.

In 2018, GreenYellow accomplished significant milestones by establishing its largest solar farms in Mauritius and Madagascar. Our first solar farm to be operational in Mauritius was GreenYellow Solitude, having an installed capacity of 16 MWp. Currently, we have over 120 MWp of solar PV deployed in the Indian Ocean region, making GreenYellow a regional leader in the photovoltaic market.

Our mission is to drive businesses towards sustainable energy transition through financing, reduced consumption, and enhanced efficiency.

2. As mentioned above, GreenYellow is a major regional player but also has an international footprint in the renewable energy sector. How to you benchmark the attractiveness of Mauritius for renewable energy projects and what can be improved for the country to emerge as regional leader in the renewable energy field?

We operate globally through 4 regional hubs—Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the newly established "GreenYellow Austral" encompassing Mauritius, Réunion, Mayotte, and South Africa. Mauritius holds immense potential to emerge as a renewable energy leader supported by the following attributes:

• Excellent solar potential with abundant daily sunlight throughout the year.
• Undisputable Economic stability supported by a robust financial market which is crucial for long-term investment projects.
• A reliable and stable grid managed by seasoned professionals.

Mauritius also offers a conducive business environment for renewable energy projects with attractive fiscal incentives and streamlined procedures.

This is complemented by the strong Government support including the Fast Track committees under the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, responsible for monitoring the overall development of the sector and addressing implementation bottlenecks respectively. The Economic Development Board, for its part, complements this ecosystem by providing a dedicated advisory and facilitation services from the date of contract signature to the date of commissioning of projects.

Mr Benoit Regnard,

Business Development Director Indian Ocean & Southern Africa

3. Mr Regnard, as the head of GreenYellow’s operation in Mauritius, how did the company evolve since its inception a decade ago?

From the establishment of large-scale solar farms to our commitment in supporting local businesses in generating green energy, our commissioned and upcoming project pipeline aggregates to some 13 solar projects totaling over 37 MWac.

Additionally, our team in Mauritius is constantly growing, presently accounting for a workforce of 45 employees that include a majority of Mauritian.

This above underscores our dedication in advancing into renewable energy solutions to foster economic growth in the region. We look forward to continuing our efforts in driving sustainability and innovation in Mauritius.

4. Government has set an ambitious target of 60% RE in the electricity mix by 2030. Based on the schemes put forward by the CEB and the various tenders launched, do you think this target is realistic?

The government's ambitious target of achieving 60% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030 is indeed inspiring. However, realizing this goal hinges on effective implementation of schemes outlined by the CEB and launched tenders.

The regulatory framework is supportive and incentives the deployment of renewable energy to address the urgent climatic challenges and soaring electricity costs. The government's commitment, including targets set for 2025 and 2030, is commendable. Initiatives like the Carbon Neutral Industry Sector (CNIS) program provides for a clear indication on instituting the appropriate framework for an industrial energy transition. Overall, institutional support and regulatory measures provide a promising foundation for achieving these objectives.

5. How was the Arsenal project managed to be implemented within the set timeframe of 8 months?

The Arsenal project was a testament to efficient execution, completed within a remarkable 8-month period. Essential resources, including advanced material orders, expedited the project development.

The continuous engagement with relevant authorities ensured timely permitting, licenses and clearances to be obtained. I would like here to re-iterate my appreciation to the Energy desk of the EDB and the fast-track committee of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities for their dedicated support throughout the development of our project.

Despite challenges like two cyclones and heavy rainfall, we succeeded in adhering to deadlines. This achievement underscores our resilience and commitment to delivering on our promises, even in adverse conditions. The successful completion of the project exemplifies our dedication to meeting objectives swiftly and effectively, regardless of external challenges.

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