Energy Consumption and Efficiency

Consumption Patterns

Mauritius depends on imported fossil fuels, primarily oil and coal, to meet much of its energy needs. These fuels power the transport sector and thermal power plants, which also generate electricity from renewables such as biomass, wind, solar, and landfill gases (LFGs). In this context, LFGs are treated as renewables because they are continuously produced from waste decomposition.

Energy consumption is distributed across different sectors—residential, commercial, and industrial—with each exhibiting distinct characteristics and drivers.

• Residential Sector
  Households account for about 16.3 % of total final energy consumption. Electricity and LPG are the dominant energy sources in this sector.  (Economic and Social Indicators, Statistics Mauritius, Jun 2025) 
  Over recent years, average household energy demand has nudged upward, largely driven by increased use of electrical appliances and air conditioning systems.

• Commercial Sector
  The commercial and distributive trade sector comprises approximately 11.9 % of the country’s total energy use. Electricity is the main fuel, followed by LPG. (Economic and Social Indicators, Statistics Mauritius, Jun 2025)  
  Within commercial buildings, lighting, refrigeration, and air conditioning are the key energy loads. (Energy Observatory Report, 2022) 

• Industrial Sector
  The manufacturing/industrial sector consumes about 19.5 % of total energy consumption. Its energy mix includes electricity, diesel oil, fuel oil, coal, and bagasse.  (Economic and Social Indicators, Statistics Mauritius, Jun 2025) 
  In 2020, the manufacturing sector’s energy consumption was 180.9 ktoe, with electricity representing ~41 %, diesel and fuel oil portions, coal, and bagasse making up the remainder. (Energy Observatory Report, 2022) 

• Transport Sector
  Transport dominates energy consumption in Mauritius, accounting for 51.6 % of total final energy use in 2024.  (Economic and Social Indicators, Statistics Mauritius, Jun 2025) 

Efficiency Programmes and Technologies

Mauritius has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving energy efficiency across all sectors. Significant investments have been made in smart grid technologies that optimize electricity distribution and reduce wastage. Residential and commercial buildings are increasingly adopting energy-saving appliances certified by energy-efficient standards. In the industrial sector, there has been a push towards process optimizations and the adoption of technologies that reduce energy consumption per unit of output.

Public Engagement

The government, in collaboration with various stakeholders, has launched educational campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the importance of energy conservation. These campaigns use a mix of online platforms, public workshops, and school programs to educate the public on simple energy-saving measures. Incentives such as rebates on energy-efficient appliances and lower tariffs during off-peak hours are also provided to encourage energy-saving behaviors among consumers.

Future Directions

Mauritius is committed to further reducing energy consumption through more advanced efficiency measures. Upcoming projects include the expansion of smart grid applications and the introduction of more stringent energy standards for appliances and building codes. These efforts are expected to help Mauritius achieve its goal of reducing energy consumption by 10% in the next five years.