• Power rays

    Power rays

    Desroches Island in the Seychelles has reduced its fuel consumption for energy use substantially thanks to the installation of a new solar power plant.

    The 2.5 MW solar PV plant is part of the Seychelles government’s drive to boost energy efficiency by 15.5% and and achieve 15% renewable energy by 2030. About 5% of the Seychelles’ current energy generation is derived from renewable sources.

    According to the Seychelles Nation, Desroches (at 394 ha) is the largest in the Seychelles’ group of Amirantes islands, located 230 km south-west of the capital Victoria.  The new solar plant has reduced its diesel fuel consumption, which was previously about 55 000 litres per month, by 90%. Half of the plant’s generated electricity will be directed towards the island’s Four Seasons resort.

    The plant was built by South African distributed renewable energy company Sustainable Power Solutions and Mettle Solar Investments, a pan-African commercial and industrial solar platform company.

    19 October 2021
    Image: Gallo/Getty Images