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Energy Systems and Technologies for the Coming Century ...

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level 4 . In a view to make <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong> a knowledge hub <strong>and</strong> accentuate <strong>the</strong> move towards<strong>the</strong> next stage of economic development, <strong>the</strong> “cyber city” was built at Ebene, about 15km south of <strong>the</strong> capital, Port Louis. The city is in line with <strong>the</strong> policy of makingMauritius an ICT or knowledge hub in <strong>the</strong> African region. Indeed, it acts as a gatewayconnection between <strong>the</strong> African <strong>and</strong> Asian markets. Links have been established between<strong>the</strong> cable l<strong>and</strong>ing point of <strong>the</strong> South Afica Far East (SAFE) submarine communicationscable between South Africa <strong>and</strong> Malaysia. The city has attracted various ICT enterprisessuch as Orange, Infosys, Infinity BPO, Tele-<strong>for</strong>ma <strong>and</strong> Hua Wei. Its construction startedin 2001 <strong>and</strong> was inaugurated in 2005.However, at <strong>the</strong> same time, <strong>the</strong> problem of traffic congestion has exacerbated. About5000 people worked at Ebene in 2008 <strong>and</strong> employment at <strong>the</strong> cyber city is expected torise to 20000 in <strong>the</strong> following years (Ackberally, 2008). Figure 1 shows <strong>the</strong> variousregions <strong>and</strong> road networks across Mauritius. Gridlocks are generally severe along <strong>the</strong> M2<strong>and</strong> A1 motorways 5 leading towards <strong>the</strong> two main epicenters which are Ebene <strong>and</strong> PortLouis. It is quite easy to imagine <strong>the</strong> dense traffic facing <strong>the</strong> majority of commuters on<strong>the</strong>ir way to work. Yet, such problematic situation has been prevailing <strong>for</strong> decades <strong>and</strong>this raises urgent need <strong>for</strong> prompt <strong>and</strong> efficient transport policies. In 2009, car ownershipin Mauritius was around 91 per 1000 population. There are no railways <strong>and</strong> bus is <strong>the</strong>main public transport in <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong>. Taxis are widespread but remain relatively expensive.Over <strong>the</strong> period 2006-2009, private car ownership has risen rapidly by about 30.4% from4 Fur<strong>the</strong>r in<strong>for</strong>mation about <strong>the</strong> educational system can be found online at: http://www.ibe.unesco.org/National_Reports/ICE_2008/mauritius_NR08.pdf.5 In<strong>for</strong>mation concerning road safety policies especially along <strong>the</strong> motorways is available online at: Error! Hyperlinkreference not valid..Risø International <strong>Energy</strong> Conference 2011 Proceedings Page 385

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