
Thanks to a 25,000 Euro grant from the German Federal Foreign Office, through the German Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, a new, modern, and powerful photovoltaic system has been installed.
(Top Photo: Ms Julia Tyessen, political counsellor, German Embassy, Nairobi on a site visit to Cousin Island)
Imagine waking up, glancing at your phone, and realising your battery is at 2%. You rush to charge it, only to realise there’s no power. Many of us accustomed to 24-hour power would be frustrated.
For the conservationists on Cousin Island Special Reserve, this was a way of life for a couple of years. They dealt with electricity scarcity, working with laptops that functioned for just a few hours, fans that don’t run on hot nights, and fridges that don’t always keep food cold.
The available electricity, powered by an ageing solar system and backup diesel generators, was rationed, and a routine for powering electronics and devices developed.
“You had to ensure you had juice for the important stuff, whether it’s entering field data into a database or catching up with the main office or checking emails. Some days, it was all sunshine and solar power; other days, it’s sorry, we’re on generator time, and you better hope you remembered to charge everything,” says Chris Tagg, the island’s conservation officer.
But the Reserve has been a pioneer in using renewable energy. The first solar power system for the island was set up way back in 2000, an incredible 24 years ago. Subsequently two other systems were put in place over the years to replace obsolete and damaged technology.
The very harsh environment on the island is not kind to technology and the solar systems age rapidly, as do other equipment.

A grant from the German Government made this solar installation possible
Now, thanks to a 25,000 Euro grant from the German Federal Foreign Office, through the German Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, a new, modern, and powerful photovoltaic system has been installed on the island by Energy Solutions Seychelles, ensuring a reliable power supply.
“It’s like night and day, we can charge everything simultaneously,” says Christopher Mahoune, the island’s chief warden. “It allows our island community to produce our power from natural, renewable resources – and to do so continually.”
For many years, before the advent of solar energy systems in Seychelles, the diesel generators ran island life on Cousin Island. To limit fuel consumption and emissions, they were only operated between 6 pm and 10 pm. The generators would chug along like an old trusted friend, but sometimes, they would grumble to a halt and would need servicing in Mahe, leaving the island in darkness for the next few days.
“One of our great successes was launching Seychelles’ first crowdfunding campaign a decade ago, which acquired a modern 6 KVa solar array by gathering about 25,000 US Dollars” says Dr Nirmal Shah, Chief Executive of Nature Seychelles. “This was part of our strategy to “green” island operations and make the island carbon-neutral, which we successfully accomplished, making it the first nature reserve in the world to do so.”

Ms Tyessen with Cousin Island staff. The new system ensures a reliable power supply for residents
“Unfortunately, despite constant maintenance, that solar system was failing. While a small system was still operational, diesel generators had to be used for staff, volunteers, and researchers’ houses.”
“A new modern solar system was necessary to maintain the environmental and carbon neutral status, as well as to reduce costs associated with generators and repairs of the existing array. We are grateful to the German Embassy for supporting this green investment,” Shah says.
“Despite some initial challenges including overheating, it has significantly improved the overall efficiency and reliability of the power supply. The money saved by using free energy from the sun can now be re-invested in the conservation of the Reserve,” Shah explains. “This is part of Nature Seychelles’ Smart Island initiative, which also includes increased internet through an innovative microwave system and digitalisation of some equipment and Reserve management processes,” he concludes.