Energy Policy: The Guarantee of Rs 6 md is Debate

In principle, the Commission Manraj had committed the Government to transmit this recommendation based on clause 15 of the 31 conditions of the Environment Impact Assessment License granted in early proponents CT Power by the Ministry of the Environment . At this point, everything seems to indicate that this initiative is not unanimous and high-level consultations have been initiated to develop a Face Saving Device for output impasse.

The latest evidence available before the weekly meeting of the National Energy Commission on Thursday are representatives of the Ministries of Public Utilities, Finance, the Central Electricity Board (CEB) provide a working session with Dev Manraj in order to proceed an assessment of this proposal gel consultations between the CEB and CT Power to start work on the thermal power project of 100 MW in Pointe-aux-Caves, by next July.

Given this approach the commission Manraj, authoritative sources in the Ministry of Public Utilities emphasize that the NEC was established by the Council of Ministers in a "Advsory Capacity" and that therefore it can not dictate how to followed on the steps leading to the execution of this project.

However, it is stated in these circles that the issue of financial security imposed on developers CT Power is part of the 31 conditions laid out by the Ministry of Environment under Part IV of the Environment Protection Act 2002 for the purposes the EIA Licence. The specific clause states that "the proponent (CT Power) Shall undertake to Provide proof of financial capabilities icts for the duration of the project to the satisfaction of the Ministry of Finance."

In the discussions at ministerial level, the financial secretary, Michael Mansoor Ali, may need to define the terms of guarantees acceptable financial arrangement under clause 15 of the EIA Licence. Financial experts concede that guarantees for an amount ranging between Rs 6 billion and Rs 8 billion in a single tranche for such a project "do not run the streets."

One of the obstacles to overcome Aura Ministry of Finance will determine how much of CT Power will provide a "proof of financial capabilities icts" to the authorities. Indeed, the CEB is engaged in the construction of the thermal power plant of Albion as a shareholder at 26%. "With the Move Committee Manraj, do we need to understand that the CEB should provide evidence of financial capacity of up to 26%? The CEB has he financial muscle for such a demonstration? Or will it apply to the government to be the guarantor as is always the case? Should we forget that the CEB participation in this project so far is mainly in the form of contributions to the field of land 92 acres available to the developer in Pointe-aux-Caves? "Do you understand in well informed.

Pending a formal decision of the Government on financial guarantees CT Power and indications transmitted to the NEC on the application of gel discussions with the authorities, the CEB sees no constraint for performing the steps pre- established with the resumption of contacts since the end of February.

So far, the ongoing wrangle between the CEB and Platform Sitoyen continues as the CEB maintains its logical that in order to meet the demand for electricity from 2016, the Central CT Power 100 MW will be operational " in full swing "at the same time.

The Plaform Sitoyen challenges the parameters used in projections CEB and challenges the way to CT Power. "The procedure ADOPTED by CT shows a total disrespect Power to Itself the NEC and the people of Mauritius. CT Power is arrogantly putting us before a fait accompli, with unsigned documents and presenting calendars; tantamount to dictating our energy policy. May we remind you That there is another instance of disregard Towards the NEC, Following the CEB's how Integrated Energy Plan 2013-2022 has-been released in the public without it first Being Submitted to the NEC, "write the leaders in the Platform Sitoyen correspondence to the NEC.

The next government's decision against the recommendation of the NEC for an interruption of contact between the authorities and CT Power  is considered crucial to the economy while at the meeting tomorrow, we should not expect major developments in the government unless Platform Sitoyen anti-coal decides to move to a new stage of its challenge.