Emerging markets-focused  renewable energy company, Astonfield Renewables has been awarded two solar projects in Mauritius for a total of 4MW worth over $8 million under a 10MW solar photovoltaic (PV) Government programme.

“Mauritius has taken a bold step in reducing its dependency on fossil fuels, especially being much more vulnerable to climate change as a small island,” said Mr Ameet Shah, Co-Chairman and Director of Astonfield Renewables.

He stated that it makes a lot of sense for the island nation off the southeast coast of Africa to make the most out of the great solar resources it enjoys all year round.

Astonfield has therefore signed a Power Purchase Agreement with the Mauritius Central Electricity Board (CEB) that will see it invest approximately $8.2 million to develop the projects.

The company said two major banks in Mauritius are vying to finance the projects to be located in La Gaulette and Union Flacq; one of which will be done in partnership with Alteo Energy.

Mr Shah noted that with the additional capacity to be built, Mauritius is “positioning itself to be the clean energy hub for not only its territory but also East Africa.”

Shah also expressed the company’s determination to use Mauritius as a platform for financing activities, engineering and project management related work.

With Astonfield’s global development expertise, the most efficient and technologically advanced solar PV projects are expected to be deployed in Mauritius.