Mauritius is heavily reliant on fossil fuels for its electricity generation, with more than 80% coming from these sources, which include a significant portion derived from coal constituting about a third of the total electricity consumption. On the brighter side, low-carbon sources contribute to nearly 20% of the electricity mix. Biofuels make up close to 10%, while solar energy accounts for around 5%, and hydropower provides less than 3% of the total electricity. This mixture indicates that while there is some development toward clean energy, a significant dependency on fossil fuels remains, highlighting the need for a transition towards a higher share of sustainable resources to minimize environmental impacts such as climate change and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Mauritius?
Electricity consumption in Mauritius is gradually increasing, with the latest data reflecting an all-time high of 2568 kWh per person. This marks an increase of 56 kWh per person from the previous record set in 2019. However, the situation with low-carbon electricity generation is concerning, as the latest figures reveal a decline of 98 kWh per person from the highest recorded in 2020, settling at 448 kWh per person in 2023. This drop in clean electricity is worrying and suggests a setback in enhancing the sustainability of the power sector. The upward trend in total electricity usage indicates heightened demand, possibly due to advancements and increased usage in various sectors, including technologies like artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, the decline in low-carbon generation underscores an urgent need to address and rectify these shortcomings.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Mauritius can draw valuable lessons from regions that have successfully expanded their sustainable energy sectors. For instance, solar energy has proven effective in regions with favorable climates, such as Nevada, which generates a substantial third of its electricity from solar power, and countries like Greece with 23%. Encouraging solar expansion in Mauritius could significantly scale up clean energy output. Additionally, the use of nuclear power in several countries, like France which derives 70% of its electricity from nuclear, points to the exceptional potential of nuclear energy as a reliable and consistent low-carbon source. By integrating policies supportive of nuclear development, Mauritius could enhance its electricity sustainability, providing a robust and clean complement to its existing solar infrastructure and mitigating its heavy dependence on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Mauritius has had a stable but modest progression in low-carbon electricity generation. In the 1980s and 1990s, biofuels and hydropower saw incremental developments, contributing to the early adoption of clean energy solutions. The 2000s introduced more stability with minor increments in biofuels and hydropower. A notable improvement began around 2010 with an increase in biofuels but encountered fluctuations, as seen with negative growth in 2011 and minimal advancements until 2015. Solar energy saw a slight rise in 2019, marking a potential turning point towards more diverse low-carbon sources. Despite these efforts, recent years reflect stagnation, necessitating strategic implementation of robust clean energy policies to secure environmental benefits and meet the growing demand for electricity.
