Launching of the National Biomass Framework (NBF) – Potential Sources and Recommendations
MAURITIUS CANE INDUSTRY AUTHORITY
Moka Road Reduit 80835
Tel: 454 1061 Fax: 464 5345 email: cs@mcia.mu
Background
The Sugarcane Industry has been contributing significantly to our national electricity production since early 1990’s, particularly with the new co-generation plants installed at Belle-Vue in 2000 and Omnicane in 2007. Bioelectricity from bagasse reached a peak of 381 GWh in 2015, representing 16% of the energy mix.
Unfortunately, the extent under cane has been gradually declining from 57,424 ha in 2015 to 41,965 ha in 2022. To offset this downward trend, Government has, through subsequent budgets, provided a series of support measures to increase sugarcane and sugar production. One major “game changer’ has been the Government’s decision to renumerate bagasse at the rate of Rs 3.50/kWh since Crop 2021.
National Biomass Framework
The National Biomass Framework (NBF) was approved by Cabinet on 26th of May 2023. Furthermore, in the Budget 2023/24, provisions have been made for the operationalisation of the Framework. The main objective of the NBF is to promote production of energy from biomass, including sugar cane, cane trash, high fibre cane fuel canes, gramineae and other related biomass.
This will maximise production of green renewable energy thereby contributing to the national effort to reach renewable energy in mix at 60% and to phase out the use of coal by the timeline of 2030. The framework also aims at exploiting biomass production within our forest areas, and through conversion of Residue Derived Fuels (RDF) from domestic and industrial wastes.
Implementation Plan
A Steering Committee and a Framework Implementation Committee, under the aegis of the MoAIFS and MCIA respectively, will coordinate with all stakeholders to achieve the goals of this framework.
