In 2020, the University of Réunion associated with two Mauritian universities launched the SWIO project (Solar and Wind energy in the Indian Ocean). Its object : study the climate variability of solar radiation and wind in Réunion and Mauritius using a regional climate model capable of producing data for the near future (horizons 2030, 2040, 2050), on a scale of one kilometer where current models work more on the scale of 50 kilometers, unsuitable for small mountainous islands. SWIO also aims to analyze the impact of this variability on variable renewable energies. (solar, wind power) and estimate trends in the context of climate change. Supported by the Energy Lab laboratory of the Faculty of Sciences, the project, lasting 36 months, is co-financed by Europe and the Region as part of the Interreg regional cooperation program. It is currently in the development phase, which notably includes the deployment of new measuring stations at the summit of Piton des Neiges and in Mauritius, the production of a regional climate database with very high spatial resolution on Reunion Island and Mauritius, processing and analysis of ground and satellite observation data and simulated data to estimate trends in solar radiation and wind.
