- Seychelles has signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to install five metric tonnes of solar-powered cold storage on La Digue Island.
- This project is part of the ministry’s plan to address the many challenges facing the agriculture sector in Seychelles and will also provide training and job opportunities to the inhabitants.
Seychelles has signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), an inter-governmental organisation helping 110 member countries scale up solar and make it a preferred energy source to install a five metric tonnes solar-powered cold storage on La Digue Island. The agreement was signed by Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Flavien Joubert during the Seychelles-ISA hybrid side-event themed “Opportunities in Seychelles for scaling Solar Projects” on November 11 in the ISA Pavilion at the COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
In a press release, the ministry said that the state-of-the-art technology would provide around five metric tonnes of cold storage capacity, increasing the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, reducing food wastage and raising income levels. This project is part of the ministry’s plan to address the many challenges facing the agriculture sector in Seychelles and will also provide training and job opportunities to the inhabitants.
Joubert highlighted the various initiatives Seychelles is undertaking in line with the country’s commitment to fighting climate change. He emphasised the need to work closely with partners like ISA to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy. He added that the project is also part of the ministry’s plan to address the many challenges facing the agriculture sector in Seychelles and will also provide training and job opportunities to the inhabitants. In addition, it includes a national plan to improve the local contribution to the country’s food security status generating 50 per cent of what the locals consume to reduce food security issues.
The event concluded with a panel discussion comprising representatives from the Seychelles Energy Commission, Public Utilities Corporation and the Department of Agriculture on the opportunities and challenges in scaling solar in Seychelles.