MechChem Africa September-October 2025

⎪ PowerGen,PetroChem and Sustainable energy management ⎪ Seychelles' journey towards renewable energy Axel Scholle, Co-founder and Business Developer at Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), describes how the Seychelles is overcoming logistical and land challenges on the path towards replacing its dependence on heavy fuel oil and diesel with renewable energy solutions.

Axel Scholle, co-founder and Business Developer at SPS.

S eychelles has long faced challenges in its journey towards renewable energy, primarily due to limited land availability, suboptimal wind resources, and its reli ance on Heavy Fuel Oil and diesel. This depen dency has led to some of the highest electricity tariffs in the world, placing a strain on both the economy and its citizens. Yet, despite these constraints, Seychelles remains committed to its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. While the road ahead is not without obstacles, recent technological advancements and stra tegic planning are steadily paving the way for a more sustainable future. To date, affordable and effective solar and battery storage systems have opened up new possibilities for the archipelago, particularly in its high-end tourism sector. Recent solar and battery storage projects have helped some of Seychelles’ outer islands reduce their reliance on diesel from 100% to around 20%, which is a significant milestone for a nation with such unique geographical limitations. The progress made with solar installations on the outer islands of Seychelles is substantial. The combined efforts of private companies, with Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) being the most significant private investor in the Seychelles’ energy sector, are notable in sup porting the country's carbon emission reduc tion goals. Navigating complex logistics A key challenge in rolling out renewable energy infrastructure lies in Seychelles’ geography. Of its 115 islands, only about 20 are inhabited, many of which are remote and require access to reliable power. Transporting equipment, fuel and personnel require lengthy journeys over water, often in unpredictable conditions. Despite these hurdles, the country’s en ergy systems demonstrate notable resilience. Local expertise has been developed to manage and maintain off-grid energy installations, while remote monitoring technology ensures that system performance can be assessed and optimised in real-time, reducing the Meaningful progress through solar and battery solutions

Renewable energy as a tourism asset Globally, integrating renewable energy into the tourism experience has become a growing trend, and the Seychelles is well-positioned to capitalise on this. Resorts powered by solar and battery systems not only reduce operational costs and emissions but also appeal to environ mentally conscious travellers. Examples from destinations such as Kenya demonstrate how solar systems can become an integral part of the tourist experience, of fering visitors firsthand insight into sustainable living. This approach not only raises awareness but also underscores the tangible benefits of renewable energy in everyday comforts, such as staying cool at night and having access to warm water. A clear path forward While challenges remain regarding logistics and land, the Seychelles is making meaningful headway in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. A key enabler behind this progress is SPS, the largest private investor in the Seychelles energy sector. Through its investments in solar and battery storage projects across multiple islands, SPS continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s sustainability journey and reducing its reliance on imported diesel. Through collaboration, innovation and smart prioritisation of sectors like tourism, Seychelles continues to demonstrate how even geographi cally isolated nations can chart a viable path to sustainability. https://sps.africa

need for constant on-site intervention.

Creative solutions for land constraints Another limitation is the lack of available land for large-scale solar projects, particularly on the larger inner islands. Floating solar projects can be an innovative solution to this issue; however, they also come with their own challenges. While still in development, these projects offer promis ing opportunities to increase renewable capac ity without competing for scarce land resources. Given the relatively small size of Seychelles’ energy market and its demands, targeting high consumption sectors like tourism, a significant contributor to the economy, makes strategic sense. Successful solar and storage projects on multiple islands have demonstrated the poten tial for further expansion and impact. For example, powering a high-end resort with a few megawatts of solar power and maintaining consistent performance with minimal interruptions is a testament to the significant advancements in renewable technol ogy, and it is reassuring to see such successful implementations. The Islands Development Company’s (IDC) efforts in transforming the outer islands into high-end destinations have indeed been re markable. The IDC’s vision and management have driven development, including the inte gration of solar energy into new projects. This not only supports Seychelles' carbon reduction goals but also enhances the green credentials of these resorts, making them more attractive to environmentally conscious tourists.

Through investments in solar and battery storage projects across multiple islands, SPS plays a pivotal role in supporting Seychelles’ sustainability journey.

September-October025 • MechChem Africa ¦ 19