Towards the possible freezing of the “PowerShip” project of the CEB – Khalil Elahee: “The barge is an option that remains expensive and complex”

The floating power plant project, presented as an emergency response to the increase in energy demand, could be frozen. For example, Too expensive, legally vague and ecologically risky, the “powerShip” is questioned. Furthermore, For Khalil Elahee, director of the Marena, it is time to accelerate the transition to local, sustainable and realistic solutions.

The floating power plant project, or “PowerShip”, supposed to temporarily strengthen the Mauritian energy network, could be frozen. Similarly, Presented in May 2025 as a temporary response to the rise of consumption. Meanwhile, this project led by the Central Electricity Board (CEB) and the Ministry of Energy, under the leadership of Patrick Assirvaden, is today seriously called into question. Consequently, In the background: financial, environmental and legal concerns that accumulate. For example,

The partial. Moreover, total abandonment of this option may well redefine the contours of the national towards possible freezing “powership” project energy strategy in the coming months. Nevertheless, “There is no shortage of alternatives,” says Khalil Elahee, director of Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (Marena). Moreover, He believes that the country must “get out of an emergency logic”. Meanwhile, bet on local, renewable, realistic, effective and less risky solutions. However,

He confirms that the “PowerShip” project is not only expensive and complex, but also unsuitable for the Mauritian energy context. However, It pleads for a structured approach, focused on demand management and acceleration of renewable energies. Similarly, “The heart of the problem is not production. It is the increased consumption expected from September 2025, especially linked to the growing use of energy -consuming air conditioners. With. without a barge, it is imperative to set up a detailed plan to supervise the sector demand by sector, ”he says.

Renewable energy projects – Towards possible freezing "powership" project

According to him. the real response lever is in the towards possible freezing “powership” project acceleration of renewable energy projects, today slowed down by long procedures and accumulated delays. “Several projects have been in the pipeline for years. Some have still not started. It’s time to unlock these initiatives if we really want to reduce our dependence on fossil sources, “he adds.

Initially presented as a temporary solution to inject up to 110 megawatts (MW) to the national electrical network. the electric barge, supposed to be moored at the port, was to face consumption peaks, especially during the southern summer. Patrick Assirvaden defended this project at a press conference in early May. stressing his “temporary and urgent” character, while waiting for renewable energy projects to take over.

Basically, it is a combination of factors that today pushes the CEB to mark a stop time. The overall bill of the project promises to be particularly heavy: port costs. fuel costs and a price per kilowatt hour towards possible freezing “powership” project deemed difficult to sustain in the medium term. In parallel. the authorities are faced with a lack of legal and technical framework to supervise the use of such a floating infrastructure, in particular with regard to the management of thermal discharges, the risks of dark tide and the proximity of the Balaclava marine reserve or even submarine cables at the bottleneck.

Plan B currently favored by the CEB is based on the deployment of movable. modular and temporary mobile generators, which only operate at peak times. For Khalil Elahee, this option is not only faster to deploy but it also offers better flexibility. “These power stations can be decentralized. adapted to local geography and compatible with the integration of variable energy sources like solar,” he said.

Use of liquid biomass

Another track he evokes: the use of liquid biomass. “If an agreement is reached with Reunion. we could towards possible freezing “powership” project have a lasting supply of liquid biomass, which would reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” he proposes.

The strategic plan for 2025-30 renewable energies developed by the Marena is finalized. but its activation is delayed by two months. Reason, according to Khalil Elahee: the consultants have requested an additional time. Which is a mistake, according to him, because we no longer have the luxury of waiting: “The urgency is there. It is now that it is necessary to act. »»

He also regrets the absence of a framework from the Maurice Île Sustainable (MID) project which could have. marked this type of initiative. “Today, we do not have a regulatory structure to ensure that the barge can be installed without risk. It would still be possible to order an ‘Environmental Assessment’ strategic ‘. but that would inevitably reject the project calendar, “he said.

For Khalil Elahee, this controversy around the towards possible freezing “powership” project episode of the electric barge must above all be taken like an electroshock. “Whether the project is materialized or not, it places us in the emergency of the energy transition. This situation must motivate us to rethink our relationship to energy, whether for environmental, economic or social reasons. It’s time to bet on a real energy sobriety, ”he concludes.