Energy
Powering a sustainable future, our energy division leads the change in renewable energy production. Our advanced thermal power plants in Mauritius contribute to 26% of the country’s annual electricity needs and our hydroelectric plant (Omnihydro) in Rwanda produces 2.5% on the Rwandan grid demand. Embracing innovation and sustainability, we aim to replace coal with biomass within our thermal powerplants, solidifying our commitment to a greener tomorrow. We are also exploring alternative fossil-free energy sources like solar, biogas, hydro, and wind power.
Total no. of employees for thermal power plants
Available annually on the CEB grid
Total electricity exported to Mauritian grid
With the government's plan to phase out coal from the Mauritian landscape by the end of 2030, the next few years will be characterised by energy transition and strategic operations. Our future hinges on identifying and implementing economically viable and reliable alternative fuel sources while maintaining our operational performance at optimal levels. Our vision is to successfully navigate this energy transition and position our plants as long-term, sustainable, base load solutions for Mauritius while reducing its carbon footprint.
For a sustainable development and continuous improvement, it is essential to use local and imported biomass as a substitute to coal. This will encourage local biomass suppliers and SME’s to promote new sources of revenues for local communities. With the implementation of the Biomass Framework, Omnicane Thermal Energy Operations St Aubin Ltd can contribute significantly to the government objectives’ of zero coal and 60% of renewable energy by 2030.
Omnicane's thermal power plants are at the forefront of energy production in Mauritius. With advanced technology and a circular economy approach, these plants efficiently generate electricity and steam from bagasse and coal, contributing to nearly 26% of the country's annual electricity needs. As a reliable partner to the Central Electricity Board (CEB) of Mauritius, Omnicane ensures a steady power supply, reducing outage and cut risks. As part of our commitment to energy transition, we are working on adapting our power plants to substitute coal by biomass.
Thermal Power Plant
La Baraque is a world-leading power plant in bagasse and coal-fired cogeneration, using these fuels interchangeably to generate steam and electricity. With a capacity of 90 MW, this innovative system ensures uninterrupted energy production. Operating at high level of efficiency, it optimises the use of heat and power whilst minimising energy losses in various production processes. After crushers and conveyors prepare the fuel, it is transformed into steam through combustion. High-pressure steam propels turbines, generating electricity through spinning generators. This electricity powers milling and refinery operations within the cluster and is transmitted to the national grid, showcasing our commitment to efficient, sustainable power generation.
Carbon Burn-Out
The coal ash collected from our cogeneration power plants and that of Terragen (another power plant located in the north of Mauritius) is processed in the Carbon Burn-Out plant, which is unique in the world. Through this process, cement additives with high pozzolanic properties and construction aggregates which bolster the Mauritian building industry, are produced as well as additional steam and electricity.
St Aubin, a highly efficient coal-fired thermal power plant, has been generating electricity for the national grid since 2005. With a capacity of 35 MW, this power station plays a crucial role in meeting Mauritius' energy needs. We are committed to sustainability and are actively exploring biomass conversion to replace coal as our energy source. Our current goal is to renew Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and transition towards greener practices, further enhancing our contributions to the nation's energy landscape.
Omnihydro is our subsidiary involved in the production and export of clean hydro-electricity to Rwanda’s national grid. Located in the district of Nyamagabe in the southern province of Rwanda, the plant originates from the ‘run-of-the river’ scheme in contrast to ‘storage-hydro’ where large dams are constructed. The scheme consists of diverting the river flows of Mushishito and Rukarara (highest source of the Nile) rivers through the construction of a weir and an intake structure followed by buried and overhead water conduits to one single powerhouse.
Operational since May 2019, the plant has reached commercial operations date of its full contract capacity in March 2022. Its installed capacity is 5.5 MW, and it generates some 30 GWh of electricity annually – of which 10 GWh is produced though the Mushishito segment, and the remaining 20 GWh through the Rukarara segment – which is sold to Energy Utility Corporation Ltd of Rwanda.
The setting up of this Independent Power Producer (IPP) project plant aligns perfectly with the group’s strategy to be the leader in sustainable development in the region.
The plant performance is expected to be maintained over the long-term following a number of optimisations implemented. Furthermore, emphasis would be laid on the strict monitoring of operational parameters in order to maximise efficiency over the annual operating hours. From a CSR perspective, the company will continue to engage with social organisations for the betterment of the livelihood of the local community.
-20.473684774712, 57.628894150257
Omnicane Thermal Energy Operations (La Baraque) Limited
La Baraque, L’Escalier 61409,
Republic of Mauritius
E: energyLB@omnicane.com
T: +230 603 6572
-20.507876153531, 57.542568594217
Omnicane Thermal Energy Operations (St Aubin) Limited
Union Ducray, Rivières Des Anguilles 61501,
Republic of Mauritius
E: energySA@omnicane.com
T: +230 626 1724
-1.9515272149881, 30.061743069346
Omnihydro (Rwanda)
Sanlam Towers, Kigali, Rwanda
E : omnihydro@omnicane.com
T : +250 798113 005
