After three successful project meetings, the fourth project meeting took place this year in Mauritius from 12th to 16th April at the University of Mauritius. All partners were present to discuss the work packages, results of activities as well as forthcoming steps like organizing the next project meeting, the conference 2012 and further activities which have to be fulfi  lled in order to adhere to the time schedule.

The prelude to the project meeting was the discussion of the progress of the work package 1, including the management issues of the fi  rst annual report and work package 2, covering the assessment of needs and the publication of the fi  rst brochure. In the afternoon the partners had the possibility to meet Professor Konrad Morgan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mauritius, to introduce the  DIREKT project and its objectives.

The contents of the following days were also rich in abundance, including the presentation and discussions of work packages three to six, the meeting with the central electricity board and with Mauritius Research Council. Further activity steps of the work packages were also dealt with by the partners.

Two highlights of this project meeting have to be pointed out. One was the international seminar which was held on ‘Renewable Energy in Small Island Developing States’. The local and international speakers held presentations on different aspects of renewable energy. The fruitful information provided during the seminar left a satisfi  ed impression among the participants. This event enjoyed extensive media coverage. The second highlight was the study visit, which was conducted at the Belle Vue Thermal Power Plant (picture above). This power plant is a high-pressure power plant which produces heat and power at 82 bars.

The project meeting was once again a very efficient and effective one. All project issues were covered and discussed. The next project meeting will be held in Barbados in October this year