In Mauritius, the current state of electricity consumption reveals a heavy dependency on fossil fuels, which constitute more than 80% of the electricity mix. Coal alone accounts for nearly 34%. On the low-carbon side, clean energy sources contribute to around 17% of total electricity generation. Among these, biofuels lead with almost 10%, followed by solar energy at nearly 5%, and hydropower supplying close to 3%. This dependency on fossil fuels highlights the urgent need for an energy transition towards more sustainable and clean sources, not only to address climate change but also to reduce the impacts of air pollution associated with fossil fuel use.

Is Electricity Growing in Mauritius?

The electricity consumption in Mauritius has shown some growth, albeit modestly. In 2023, the total electricity consumption was 2568 kWh per person, which surpasses the previous record of 2511 kWh per person in 2019. This increase of 56 kWh per person signifies a positive trend in electricity usage, hoping to meet rising demands of electrification and technological advances. However, the scenario is not as optimistic for low-carbon electricity generation, which saw a decrease, dropping to 448 kWh per person from the previous record of 546 kWh per person in 2020. This demonstrates a concerning decline in clean energy production, emphasizing an area that requires significant improvement.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Mauritius can draw lessons from regions excelling in this domain. Solar energy, for instance, has proven viable in sunny locales like Nevada, where it constitutes 35% of electricity generation, and regions like California and Lebanon, both contributing around 30%. As for nuclear energy, France and Slovakia lead by generating more than two-thirds of their electricity from this clean source. Mauritius should consider developing its solar infrastructure and explore the potential for nuclear energy projects. Collaborating with countries experienced in deploying nuclear and solar power could greatly accelerate Mauritius's transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable electricity system.

History

Throughout the decades, Mauritius has experienced modest fluctuations in its low-carbon electricity development. In the 1980s, hydropower saw slight gains and losses. The 1990s and 2000s marked a gradual increase in biofuel usage, with small but consistent increments. Solar power began to make its mark with an introduction in 2019, creating new possibilities for the future. However, setbacks in biofuels occurred in the 2010s and persisted into 2022. The recent stagnation observed in 2023 for hydropower and other clean energy sources indicates the need for more robust progress. Moving forward, an assertive approach to expanding solar and potentially nuclear energy could energize Mauritius's low-carbon electricity landscape and bolster its environmental and economic position.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade