Technological and institutional changes, depletion of fossil fuel resources, and climate change make it paramount that energy systems around the globe are going through a radical transformation. The project takes place in Mayotte (FR) which is located in the northern Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean and consists of a main and a smaller island and several very small islets around these two. The 279,471 people living on Mayotte face common challenges regarding energy supply and a high dependency on imported fossil fuels. The current energy supply system is expensive, causes a high level of pollution, and the lack of interconnectors affects the resilience of the grid and places an enormous burden on the local population. The projects name “MAESHA” means future in Shimaore, the local dialect, and its main objective is to decarbonise the energy system by fostering large deployments of renewable energy systems based on the local community’s needs.

Hudara’s role in this project is to ensure a community-based approach and the consideration of end-users in new emerging business models. Local communities are to be activated and involved for better ownership and acceptance of the energy transition. Centralised energy systems are to be reorganised and where no energy supply is available yet, integrated community energy systems are to be developed to allow simultaneous integration of distributed energy resources and engagement of local communities.