A Strategic Approach towards 100% Renewable Energy in Seychelles

The energy systems of Seychelles and other Small Island Developing States rely highly on fossil fuels, which comes with high expenditure for fuel imports. The potential for using renewable energies in Seychelles to overcome this dependence is significant, but which has, so far,  been utilized only to a limited extent. This unfavourable situation and the island’s vulnerability towards the adverse impacts of anthropogenic climate change raises the economic rationale for a transition towards renewable energy deployment. The article summarizes how, under a comprehensive energy and financial strategy, the transition can be facilitated. Seychelles has set some renewable energy targets for the future and the government has articulated a long-term strategy to achieve a 100% supply of domestic energy supply through renewable energies by 2035 under the Seychelles’ 100% Renewable Energy Strategy (SeyRES 100). To achieve this ambitious target, a well-coordinated national energy roadmap is required in order to trigger national action and mobilize international support for an initial phase of the sector transformation. It defines policy measures, technology requirements, finance mechanisms and capacity development necessities for the successful implementation of renewable energies.