French renewable energy company Qair has signed a new loan to support the implementation of a hybrid solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system ( BESS ) project in Mauritius.

The project builds on the firm‘s long-standing presence in the Indian Ocean and its strategic ambition to accelerate the energy transition across Africa. Qair has been present in Mauritius since 2008, and currently operates a 10-megawatt wind farm in Plaine des Roches and solar parks with a combined capacity of 25.3MW.

In 2023, Qair was awarded four hybrid solar and BESS projects totalling 60MW, representing one of the most ambitious energy infrastructure packages undertaken in Mauritius in recent years.

The new financing will allow the company to move ahead with implementation, contributing directly to the national target of reaching 60% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030.

"The financing of Stor’Sun I and II marks an important step in our commitment to supporting next-generation energy infrastructure, contributing to the stability of the national electricity grid and the increased integration of renewable energies," says Rita Gujadhur, officer-in-charge of SBM Bank ( Mauritius ) Ltd.

Beyond Mauritius, Qair is actively developing and operating clean energy assets in Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Morocco, Seychelles, and several other countries, with a focus on solar, wind, and hybrid solutions.

The group currently operates 65MW across the continent, has 154MW under financing, and is developing a pipeline of over 2 gigawatts.