The World Energy Day, first established by the World Energy Forum in 2012, serves as an important reminder of the central role energy plays in every aspect of our lives from powering our homes, schools, and hospitals to driving our economy and enabling national development. It also reminds us of the shared global responsibility to ensure that energy is accessible, affordable, reliable, and sustainable for all, while reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment for future generations.
This year’s commemoration comes at a time when the global community faces complex challenges from the impacts of climate change and energy insecurity to the urgent need to accelerate a just energy transition. For Seychelles, these challenges have reaffirmed our determination to chart a path towards a cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive energy future.
Energy is fundamental to modern life. It heats our water, cools our homes, powers our industries, enables our transport, and connects us digitally. Yet, across the world, millions of people remain without access to electricity and clean energy solutions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), close to 660 million people globally still lack electricity access, and over 2 billion rely on polluting fuels for cooking. These figures highlight that energy poverty remains a real barrier to social and economic progress in many parts of the world.
While global challenges persist, Seychelles has made notable progress in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Today, our country enjoys universal access to electricity, and we continue to strengthen our energy systems to make them more efficient, more resilient, and more sustainable.
Over the past few years, we have taken concrete steps to transition towards renewable energy and energy efficiency. With over 5% renewable energy currently integrated into our electricity system, the Government remains committed to scaling up investments in clean energy solutions. Through the revised Energy Act and forthcoming policies, we are creating an enabling environment for greater private sector participation and innovation to help achieve our national renewable energy targets of 15% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
However, we must also recognise that Seychelles continues to depend heavily on imported fossil fuels, which exposes us to energy security risks and price volatility. Transitioning towards a cleaner energy system is therefore not only an environmental necessity it is also an economic and security imperative. Expanding renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and promoting responsible consumption will help reduce our vulnerability, enhance national resilience, and create new opportunities for green growth.
As we commemorate World Energy Day 2025, let us all take a moment to reflect on the role energy plays in our everyday lives and the part each of us can play in shaping a more sustainable future. Whether by conserving electricity at home, choosing efficient appliances, or supporting clean energy initiatives, every small action counts.
The Ministry reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing an energy transition that promotes economic prosperity, strengthens energy security, and ensures environmental sustainability for the people of Seychelles.
Together, let us power our nation towards a brighter, greener, and more resilient tomorrow.
Happy World Energy Day 2025.