Multiconsult : Supporting Seychelles’ solar plans

The Seychelles, located in the western Indian Ocean, has been nearly 100% dependent on diesel imports for power, resulting in high prices, low energy security and constraints on growth and development. To reduce costs and increase power grid stability, the government of Seychelles' has set a goal of reaching 15% electricity demand met by renewable energy by 2030.

- We are excited to be able to support the country's clean energy vision, and provide advisory services in connection with the procurement of a developer for the 4MW floating solar PV plant in the lagoon at Le Rocher on Mahé Island' says Ryan Anderson, Energy Specialist and Team Leader for the project.

During the project, Multiconsult will be responsible for the development of the tender documentation and the management of the tender process. The assignment also includes capacity-building activities to selected power sector stakeholders including the Seychelles Energy Commission (SEC) and the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC).

Large potential, but few projects

Multiconsults partner in the project is Trinity LLP, one of the leading international law firms for infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project will be funded by the African Development Bank through the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF).

- The cost of developing solar power is now on par with even large hydro and cheaper than fossil fuels - but despite the large potential for solar in Africa, developers still face many barriers and few solar projects have to date been developed. This project is very technically interesting as floating solar is still a relatively new technology with many potential benefits, such as saving valuable land in countries without a lot of available space such as the Seychelles, explains Ryan.