Electricity in Mauritius in 2023
As of 2023, electricity consumption in Mauritius is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which account for more than 80% of the electricity mix, with coal making up a significant portion of this at roughly a third. Low-carbon energy constitutes less than 20% of the total electricity generation. Within the low-carbon sector, biofuels are the largest contributor at almost 10%, followed by solar power at about 5%, and hydropower at nearly 3%. The significant reliance on fossil fuels poses challenges in terms of sustainability and environmental impact, underlining the need for a transition towards cleaner electricity sources. By increasing the share of low-carbon energy, Mauritius can mitigate climate change and reduce air pollution, contributing to a healthier and more environmentally sustainable future.
Suggestions
To transition towards a more sustainable electricity generation system, Mauritius can increase its low-carbon energy capacity by investing in nuclear, wind, and solar power. Learning from countries with successful implementations, such as Denmark and Ireland, which produce more than and almost a third of their electricity from wind, respectively, and Chile and Greece, both generating over a fifth of their electricity from solar. Additionally, countries like France and Slovakia demonstrate the potential of nuclear power, generating significant portions of their electricity from this stable and clean source. Mauritius can draw inspiration from these examples and strategically invest in the infrastructure and technology needed to harness these clean energy sources. Through such efforts, Mauritius can diversify its electricity generation portfolio and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Mauritius has experienced gradual changes in its low-carbon electricity generation. In the 1980s and 1990s, hydropower faced fluctuations with minor increases and decreases, while biofuels began to play an increasingly important role from the 1990s onwards. The early 2000s saw steady but small increases in biofuels and hydropower, indicating an initial shift towards low-carbon energy. Solar power emerged in 2019 with its first notable contribution. However, recent years have seen challenges with biofuels showing a decline. Despite this, the overall trend highlights the potential for growth in low-carbon electricity, providing a solid foundation for further expansion of sustainable energy sources in Mauritius. Expanding investments in nuclear, wind, and solar energy will be key to achieving cleaner electricity for the island nation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.