Maurice Ile Durable: 2013 Year for Funding

Mahomed Osman, Executive Chairman, also presented the action plan for the period 2013-2015. Mahomed Osman answers questions of Le Defi Quotidien ...

> What is the MID and how will the project?

The initial objective of the project Maurice Ile Durable was to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels through the promotion of renewable energy, energy saving and energy efficiency, which remains a key objective. The MID has now become much broader and encompasses economic, environmental and social. It is a real social project defined and monitored by the Prime Minister.

This is a long term project and the results are not immediate. MID comes from a process of participatory democracy, culminating in a national policy, strategy and action plan. Commission MID is a coordinating agency with a specific mandate to produce national policy, strategy and action plan MID, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, and ensure its implementation. Contrary to popular belief, the Commission does not implement MID projects, but it is a coordinating agency that ensures that projects are implemented with the collaboration of various public and private.

> What has been realized so far?

As indicated during our meeting with the press, there have been several milestones in the process MID far. In April 2011, we published a Green Paper on the MID. Then, during June and July 2011, we held 24 sessions of advisory work where civil society has contributed greatly in making recommendations, compiled six reports, in August 2011.

In January 2012, following an international tender by the Ministry of Environment, with support from the French Development Agency, we have benefited from the services of a consultant English, Mott Mac Donald, who for several Maurice missions and meetings with civil society and the cell constant communication with DD and MID Commission, submitted its report on the consolidated national policy, strategy and action plan MID.

The document also makes provision targets in time for the 5th, the 'gaps and challenges, and opportunities and the "owners equity". It was in 2010 during a public workshop at straws SVICC that the Prime Minister had defined the MID 5E (Energy, Environment, Employment, Education and Equity). There is a whole list of projects realized to date, while many others are being implemented (Note: See list below).

> Who are the main contributors to the project?

This is a team effort. MID process follows a model of participatory democracy. The main protagonists are 300 people working group, and especially their presidents who are also members of the Strategic Committee MID, namely Makoond Raj, Dr. Khalil Elahee, Prakash Kowlessur, Serge Ng Tat Chung, Daniel and Jacqueline Wong Sauzier. The Strategy Committee is chaired by José Hitié.

There are cell SD Department of Environment and the steering committee chaired by Ms Ng, Director of the Environment. The steering committee's task is to ensure that policies, strategies and actions are implementable MID at their respective departments. Therefore, members of this committee are, of course, representatives of ministries are currently working on their final view on the document MID. There is also the MID Fund Committee chaired by Ms. Joya Bhandari. There is also the support of agencies such as UNDP and AFD, among others.

> In our last interview you had mentioned the preparation of a final document by the end of 2012. Where are we?

The document has been submitted and is being validated at this time. It will be presented to Cabinet early next year. Far from being static, this document will be a next evolutionary allow us to pursue a development model that takes into account the economic needs and aspirations of each citizen of Mauritius in time, and especially not to jeopardize the chances of future generations . The ultimate objective of MID is to improve the quality of life of Mauritians and MID places man at the center of development.

> The Commission has just had a new coordinator. For what purpose?

The Commission was reinforced last week with the arrival of Sunil Dowarkasing as Project Coordinator. Until now, I was the only technician at the Commission, so it is timely reinforcement. Now that the plan has been produced, it will be especially its implementation. We will be on the ground in 2013 and as recent times, many cases are referred to the Commission.

> MID, is the only case in the public sector?

Of course not! The MID for the national policy of sustainable development and affects everyone and all sectors. There are many side projects of the private sector, NGOs and donors. The MID also inspires our contractors who engage in environmental activities, such as renewable energy, composting and other recycling, etc.. But the report MID will bring consistency in government policy and MID will be much more visible and much desired as backbone, which is essential for its success.

> The general perception is that the MID concept is limited as solar water heaters, collecting rainwater and composting ...

The MID is a social project that affects everyone and all spheres of life. We started with the solar hot water, but there are hundreds of projects to be implemented. There are recycling, renewable energy, environmental protection, water conservation, urban planning, eco-building, food security and waste management, etc..

However, we must realize that the implementation of projects faced many challenges and thus the world. Despite this, we made our long way and we are constantly exemplified by international organizations. There was the strengthening of legislation, including the Energy Efficiency Act and the new Building Control Bill. A carbon tax was also introduced to regulate cars. The government program focused on the development of the blue economy to exploit our marine resources in an ecological process. A priority for 2013 is to develop a 'Framework for green economy', involving six sectors.

> Why are we behind greater use of renewable energy?

The Department of Energy and the CEB worked on several major projects, including wind farms and photovoltaic and many have reached an advanced stage. But funding does not yet follow. Contrary to what many people think, renewables are not 100% free although the sun and wind are free. Such projects require large investments in equipment, without which we can capture and transform solar energy and wind energy.

These projects are usually in the 'Public Private Partnership' and the value of the day, and with current technology, the cost of clean electricity produced is greater than the average cost of CEB. That is the problem. There must have financial support and we're working on it. I can tell you that it is a "very hard nut to crack." I hope that in the long term, we get to solve this problem.

A hundred projects in

During the press conference, the Commission circulated a list of more than a hundred projects (large and small) completed or being implemented by various ministries and departments. It shows projects in the field of clean energy, environment and social projects.

Some completed projects

• Small power producers with a total capacity of 714KW
• Project "Landfill Gas to Energy '3 MW Mare Chicose
• Mini-hydro station of 350kW at La Nicolière
• A series of projects funded by the MID Fund
• 1 million energy-saving bulbs sold by the CEB
• More than 1,400 LED bulbs for lights
• Over 2000 trees planted on both sides of the northern motorway
• Over 2000 trees planted on both sides of the highway South
• Several projects under the 'Housing and Community Empowerment Programme' by NEF
• The establishment of an Energy Efficiency Management Office

Some big upcoming projects

• A wind farm with a capacity of 29mW at Plaine Sophie
• A 18MW wind farm in the North
• 10MW solar farm
• Hydro turbine 350KW in Midlands

Some social projects coming

• Installation of solar panels in 10 schools in 2013
• Continuation of the third phase of the 'Solar Water Heater Grant'
• Distribution, compost bins,
• A 'Energy Audit' in public buildings

Studies

• Preparation of a 'Grid Code' for energy producers beyond 50KW
• Feasibility study for a geothermal project

Some environmental projects

• Adoption of smart meters by the CEB
• Reducing the use of chemical pesticides
• Encourage paper recycling
• Protection of lagoons
• Encourage 'coral farming'
• Establishment of a Household Rainwater Harvesting Scheme
• Rehabilitation of 42 hectares of forest Raoul Plain, River Gorges Black
• Restoration of 5 acres of forests Coin-de-Mire and also on the Island Plate

Legislative framework

• The entry into force of the Building Control Act 2013
• Proclamation of the full Utilities Regulatory Authority in 2013
• Development of a Renewable Energy Master Plan (Assistance Government of India)
• Development of a Renewable Energy Procurement Framework
• Sustainability Index in the Stock Exchange of Mauritius

The long-term goals

• Reduce energy consumption of non-residential buildings by 10% by 2020
• Reduce the energy consumption of public buildings by 10% by 2020
• Reduce energy consumption in the transport sector by 35% by 2025
• Generate electricity from renewable sources to 35% by 2025

Rodrigues

Rodrigues has not been forgotten. There is a project to install four wind turbines of 275KW in Granada.

Campaigns

The Commission will participate in the MID ECO TV show from 2013 to raise awareness on sustainable development. A 5-minute clip was also produced and broadcast on TV. Several public meetings were held across the country.