The vast majority of Seychelles’ electricity demand is met by the state-owned oil-fuelled power station at Roche Caiman on Mahé’s east coast. Experienced managerial and technical staff, combined with regular spending on equipment updates and maintenance, ensures a constant supply of power.
The fuel which powers the country’s generators is imported by the State oil company SEPEC (Seychelles Petroleum Corporation) and skilful long term planning by SEPEC has led to the development of large bunkerage capacity in the country, allowing Seychelles to become the major distribution hub for the east African seaboard. The domestic fuel requirement for the year 2006 was US$ 49.6 million and approximately US$70 million in 2007. Fuel for re-exports generated revenue of US$156 million in 2006 and US$ 250 million in 2007 respectively. Due to the rise in fuel prices on the international market, the cost of local consumption of fuel is expected to increase substantially in 2008.
Local industries and consumers in general are being constantly encouraged to embrace energy conservation measures in order to reduce consumption of energy nationally. Businesses are encouraged to introduce systems that make use of other energy sources such as solar or photovoltaic to generate electricity or as part of their energy conservation measures. On a number of the country’s outer islands, resort owners and environmentalists are pioneering sustainable energy sources, most notably the use of solar energy. The interest in the use of same in the households and local industries are on the rise, which create the opportunity in the local assembly of these energy-friendly appliances. The Government is presently reviewing its energy policy to ensure energy sustainability for the country. The policy is expected to encourage a blend of alternative energy sources together with the traditional fuel generated electricity supply. Seychelles vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which encompasses 1.4 million km² of the western Indian Ocean is being increasingly viewed as a potential source for as yet unexploited oil reserves. Initial exploration in some areas has already begun, and there are potential for further exploration in other unexamined areas. The acreage being prospected for oil is 21,426 km² and an additional 205,000 km² is still available for prospecting. Seychelles also presently owns and operates through SEPEC five (5) double hull oil tankers transporting oil to and from countries all over the world.
|
back
