Mauritius eyes geothermal power, seaweeds

04 March 2010, Afrique en ligne
URL: http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/mauritius-eyes-geothermal-power,-seaweeds-2010030345069.html

Port Louis:  The Council of Research of Mauritius is currently working on two major projects: the production of electricity from geothermal sources and the exploitation of se aweeds for commercial purposes.

The Executive Director of the Council, Arjoon Suddhoo, told PANA here that the country was interested in exploiting other sources of power beyond solar and others.

"We are working on it and the result promises to be a good one," he said, explaining that the project involves drilling a hole about 3 km deep to reach some very very hot rocks.  "Then you pour some water on them and you get some steam with which you can use to produce electricity," said Mr. Suddhoo, who said he is convinced that such a project should work well given that Mauritius is a volcanic island. We are excited by this idea of having a source of renewable energy, non pollutant and unlimited, and which is available 24 hours a day," he added.

He said the Council was also working on the exploitation of seaweeds, whose potential is enormous in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mauritius.

"We have so big a space that we can use to our advantage and where there are sea weeds whose applications are enormous in cosmetics, aquaculture and food industry. We have begun working on the proprieties of seaweeds and we find them very promising. These are very important sources of magnesium, calcium and phosphate," the official said.