Background
Mauritius is actively working to implement its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, with a strong focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing climate resilience. The country’s energy sector remains the largest source of emissions, primarily relying on fossil fuels such as oil and coal. In its updated NDC, Mauritius has committed to generating 60% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, phasing out coal, and improving energy efficiency. Additionally, Mauritius recognizes the urgent need for climate adaptation, particularly in addressing water scarcity, which affects key industries such as agriculture and tourism. The government has emphasized nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation to build resilience against climate change impacts.
In this context, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Deep Seawater (DSW) infrastructure present promising solutions for both mitigation and adaptation. OTEC harnesses temperature differences between warm surface seawater and cold deep seawater to generate clean, continuous electricity, while DSW can be utilized for cooling, desalination, and supporting sustainable agriculture and aquaculture. To advance these technologies, Mauritius has initiated a demonstration study on OTEC in collaboration with Japan’s NEDO and METI.
CTCN Support
The CTCN Technical Assistance will support Mauritius in conducting a Pre-Feasibility Study on Deep Seawater (DSW) intake infrastructure for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and sustainable DSW utilization in the Savanne Region. This study will provide a comprehensive technical and economic analysis, assessing the feasibility of implementing DSW infrastructure to supply carbon-neutral energy, clean water, and sustainable cooling services for a planned smart city. Additionally, the assistance will strengthen Mauritius’ capacity to address regulatory, financial, and technical challenges, increasing readiness for future investment.
Expected Outcome
The expected outcome of this Technical Assistance is to enhance Mauritius’ readiness for investment in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Deep Seawater (DSW) intake infrastructure. Key initiatives will include:
- Stakeholder engagement through a Project Working Group
- Context analysis for seawater intake infrastructure
- Technical assessment to define the optimal site, routing, design and installation methods for DSW infrastructure
- Financial Assessment and business models for DSW intake infrastructure
- Development of a Concept Note for the Green Climate Fund
- Capacity building and communication
