Rodrigues (Mauritius) drinking water by desalination with solar energy – VivAfrik

The small island of Rodrigues (Republic of Mauritius) is experiencing a small revolution. Proponents of this revolution: technological innovation and the mobilization of partners. The results: solar energy for drinking water

Explanations: The Indian Ocean Commission and the European Union, through the ENERGIES program, and the French Global Environment Facility have co-financed the installation of the first sea water desalination unit in Rodrigues. It is therefore an unprecedented achievement in Rodrigues but also throughout the Republic of Mauritius and even throughout the Indianocéanie.

This desalination unit, located in Caverne Bouteille in the southwest of Rodrigues, will produce 80,000 liters drinking water every day only thanks to the photovoltaic panels. In hybrid operation, production will reach 300,000 liters. This is great news for Rodrigues who suffers from a chronic lack of water. With the Bottle Cavern unit more than 2400 people will be supplied with drinking water.

The technology used, OSMOSUN®, was set up by Mascara and the photovoltaic generator by Quadran.

Ce seawater desalination project thanks to solar is part of a virtuous movement initiated by the Rodrigues regional administration which aims to make this small Mauritian territory, particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, an island model

The Bottle Cavern Unit fulfills this objective and further contributes to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including access to water (SDG No. 6), clean energy development (SDG 7), adaptation to the effects of climate change (SDG 13) and partnerships (SDG 17).

The solar desalination unit has been officially t inaugurated on 3 July by the Chief Commissioner of Rodrigues, Serge Clair, along with the representatives of the partners involved in the project, namely the Regional Assembly of Rodrigues, the Indian Ocean Commission, the European Union, the Fund French for the global environment, the French Embassy in Mauritius, Mascara and Quadran. (Mediaterre.org)