Aride island goes exclusively solar

(eTN) – The Seychelles northernmost granite island, Aride, a nature reserve owned and managed by the Island Conservation Society and dedicated to protecting the island’s unique flora and fauna, has earlier this week switched off its diesel-powered generator as a new solar system took over.

The Seychelles has a policy of increasing sustainable energy sources across the main islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue to reduce the reliance on costly and CO2-emitting thermal power plants, and the government has put legislative and regulatory measures into place to promote the use of solar water heaters for domestic residences and businesses but also the use of solar panels to generate electricity.

Funded by the Australian High Commission through a grant, an upcoming second phase will be sponsored by the UNDP under its GEF funding line later this year.

Other smaller islands, either entirely dedicated to conservation or else with small up-market resorts, are closely monitoring the pilot project before decisions are made to also convert from generator power to solar power or at least complement thermal power sources. Such moves will reduce the archipelago’s carbon footprint and live up to the country’s commitment to staying green as a contribution towards the fight against global warming and climate change.

Aride island is home to the huge Frigate birds, the Seychelles Warbler, the endangered Seychelles Magpie Robin, and the Seychelles Fody, among many other bird species found on Aride. Day trips to the island are normally arranged from the resorts of Praslin or La Digue and guided tours then take visitors across the island.

Visit www.seychelles.travel for more information about Aride and the other 114 islands of the archipelago dedicated to either conservation – like the Aldabra atoll – or tourism purposes.