CT Power: Time for Action

By Mohan Kahanya

To send the right signal in the circumstances that government means business, if only to keep away a potential power shortage in the near future, it would be good to ensure implementation of the project without any let or hindrance

We mentioned in an article on 27th July that the Environmental Tribunal gave its decision in favour of the CT Power project. No objection to this decision has been lodged by any party in the delay accorded for filing objections, if any. This means that nothing stands in the way of its implementation.

The next step is for the promoters to secure administrative approvals from local authorities for the construction of the power plant. Like the coal-fired IPPs which were set up swiftly after obtaining their Power Purchase Agreements, it should now be open to the company to get into business, now that the legal hurdles are behind.

Assuming that there is an annual increase of demand for electricity at the rate of 5%, it is projected that there will be a shortfall of 100 MW of electricity in Mauritius unless the gap is filled. It takes time before a power plant becomes operative. What the current situation implies is that the company should quickly get on with project implementation if we don’t want to run into a situation of power shortage.

Recalling that rival power producers might try to put obstacles in the way of the project’s implementation, it would be urgent to ensure that no administrative blockages are created towards the swift implementation of the CT Power project. Since the Tribunal’s decision was handed out, we have seen attempts being made in part of the media to present the project in a way as to thwart its implementation. There are lobbies at work.

To send the right signal in the circumstances that government means business, if only to keep away a potential power shortage in the near future, it would be good to ensure implementation of the project without any let or hindrance. The company should now fully play its part, respectful of the decision handed down by the Environmental Tribunal.


* Published in print edition on 10 August 2012

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