The Central Electricity Board (CEB) plans to build two tanks to store heavy fuel oil in the vicinity of the St. Louis Power Station. This is to ensure uninterrupted power supply across the country. The cost of the project is Rs 97 million.

The construction of these two new tanks will enable them to store the heavy fuel oil needed to supply the St. Louis engines. The St. Louis Power Station is undergoing a redevelopment phase to increase its production capacity, and CEB Lens Saline has built a reservoir park in Bain-des-Dames. The park was originally intended to include six heavy fuel tanks with a capacity of 6500 cubic meters each, but eventually only three tanks were built, and the site is a wetland. As a result, two reservoirs in St. Louis will be built to provide partial compensation for those that could not be built. The organization proposes to carry out the project on a ‘fast track basis’ so as not to disrupt power supply across the country. The cost of the project is Rs 97 million.

With two new heavy fuel tanks, the storage capacity of St. Louis will increase from 2,485 cubic meters to 10,485 cubic meters, thus improving overall autonomy. The plant currently generates 10% of Mauritius’ total electricity demand. “The project is a top priority for the CEB, as it will not only increase fuel oil storage capacity, but also increase the power station’s fuel autonomy, which is currently only three to four days. Tender calls for the design and construction of the reservoir will begin soon,” we understand.

According to the CEB, the overall concern is that the proposed project will have a negligible impact on the environment. The land on which the tanks are to be built is in the vicinity of St. Louis, and is now occupied by an old mechanical workshop and former storage tanks, which will be decommissioned.