Why BHEL Has Put Its Hand In Mauritius Electricity Business

Last updated on March 25th, 2021 at 09:18 am

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has secured its first ever overseas solar project. This is the first project with Mauritius in the form of a grid connected solar power project. This is going to start at the Tamarind Falls, Henrietta (Phase II), for Mauritius on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis, a formal statement by BHEL has confirmed. 

It is indeed the first ever turnkey project for the State owned company and will be developing an 8-MWac Solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plant. The contract has been signed with CEB (Green Energy) Co. Ltd., Mauritius, a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Electricity Board, Government of Mauritius. The project is funded under Government of India’s Line of Credit and has been secured by BHEL through a competitive bidding process. 

It is worth noting that BHEL is already active in Africa where it has had four decades of work with electricity generation projects (approximately 2100 MW) and has equipment supplied in23 African countries. 

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India’s own prowess in solar power generation has been growing rapidly. As of 30 November 2020, the country’s solar installed capacity was 36.9 GW. India has established nearly 42 solar parks to make land available to the promoters of solar plants. Rooftop solar power accounts for 2.1 GW, of which 70% is industrial or commercial. It is extremely serious about moving towards green energy and its commitment to the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goal.  

According to the International Solar Alliance (ISA) report, India has been ranked as an ‘Achiever’ nation which ‘may’ need ‘further reforms to boost the flow of capital into the sector in order to achieve the ambitious 2022 and 2030 targets,’ the report said. 

India is on its way to implementing the world’s largest RE expansion plan with a target of 450 Gigawatt (GW) of renewable power by 2030 with 175 GW deployment by 2022. Achiever countries are those with most favourable technical and commercial conditions for solar and perceived as most attractive for investments in solar.

The report has designated viability to nations under the headings of Achiever, Influencer, Progressive and Potential. According to the report, India has emerged as a leading performer among the ISA member countries along with Brazil, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Its state owned companies are therefore readying themselves to take on expansion challenges whenever and wherever possible. Readiness in the need of the hour.