The energy landscape in Mauritius has been undergoing significant transformations in recent years, with a growing emphasis on sustainability, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.
Currently, Mauritius has a diverse energy mix, which includes the following sources:
- Fossil Fuels: Historically, Mauritius has relied on imported fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for its energy needs and development. These fuels have been used for electricity generation and transportation.
- Renewable Energy: In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on renewable energy sources. Mauritius has been investing in wind, solar, and hydroelectric power generation. Wind farms and solar photovoltaic installations have been established to harness renewable energy.
Mauritius has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming to derive a significant portion of its electricity from renewable sources. Initiatives include feed-in tariffs to incentivize renewable energy projects and the promotion of solar water heaters in households. The island nation has harnessed its rivers and reservoirs for hydroelectric power generation. Several small and medium-sized hydroelectric plants are in operation. The government has also focused on energy efficiency measures, including the introduction of energy-efficient appliances and technologies, as well as energy conservation programmes. Recently, Mauritius has been exploring electric vehicles (EVs) as a means of reducing emissions from the transportation sector. Charging infrastructure for EVs has been developed.
Despite efforts to diversify its energy sources, Mauritius still relies on energy imports, especially for oil and petroleum products. Energy security remains a concern.
A few of the energy indicators below (from Our World in Data) point to the trends of the energy profile in Mauritius:
Energy Access | ||
| Energy access in the availability and affordability of reliable energy services to meet basic human needs, improve living conditions, and support economic development. It is a fundamental component of sustainable development and has a significant impact on various aspects of life. | ||
Energy access stands as a pivotal driver in Mauritius's pursuit of sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Mauritius has made significant progress in providing reliable and affordable energy to its population, contributing to an improved quality of life and economic growth. Mauritius has made remarkable strides in ensuring that its entire population has access to electricity. The country has achieved near-universal electrification, with over 99% of its population having access to reliable electrical power (Statistics Mauritius). The government of Mauritius has prioritized rural electrification projects, bringing electricity to remote areas and underserved communities. These initiatives have enhanced living conditions and economic opportunities in these regions. |
Energy Consumption | ||
Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy used by an end-user. This includes energy used for heating, manufacturing, transportation, and by residential consumers. It's a comprehensive measure that helps evaluate the efficiency of energy use within a country and the effectiveness of its energy policies. | ||
Mauritius tracks various energy consumption indicators to assess and manage its energy efficiency and consumption trends. Key indicators include the absolute annual change and total primary energy consumption, which provide insights into how energy demand is evolving over time and the overall energy usage. Energy use per person is another critical metric that reflects the average amount of energy consumed by each individual, highlighting trends in energy efficiency and the impact of conservation efforts. These indicators are vital for Mauritius as it aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce dependence on imported fuels by promoting sustainable energy practices and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. |
Energy Generation | ||
Energy Generation refers to the process of producing electrical power. This includes the transformation of primary energy sources like fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, or renewable resources (such as wind, solar, and hydropower) into electricity. Energy generation is a crucial component of a nation's infrastructure and economic development, as it supports various industries, residential needs, and commercial activities. | ||
Mauritius measures various aspects of energy generation to monitor and manage its energy resources effectively, focusing on diversifying its energy mix to include more renewable sources alongside traditional ones like coal and oil. Key indicators include the total electricity generation, generation from fossil fuels, and the amount from low-carbon and renewable sources. Mauritius is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels due to environmental concerns, enhancing its capacity in renewable energy to improve sustainability and energy security. Although it does not utilize nuclear power, investments in solar and wind are growing, reflecting its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and developing a sustainable energy infrastructure. |
Per Capita Generation | ||
| Per Capita Generation refers to the amount of electricity generated per person within a geographical area. This metric provides a gauge of a country's energy productivity relative to its population size, indicating the energy availability and economic activity levels. | ||
Mauritius monitors per capita generation to assess the efficiency and sufficiency of its energy production relative to the population. Key indicators include per capita electricity generation overall and specifically from sources like fossil fuels, gas, hydropower, nuclear, oil, and renewables such as solar and wind. These metrics are particularly useful for Mauritius as it transitions towards a more sustainable energy mix, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance energy independence. The focus on increasing per capita generation from renewable sources aligns with global environmental targets and the country's strategies to mitigate climate change impacts while meeting the growing energy needs of its population. |
Greenhouse Gas Emissions | ||
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions refer to the release of gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. These emissions primarily include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), and are measured from various sources such as industry, agriculture, and energy production. | ||
| Mauritius uses several indicators to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, including annual total CO2 emissions and emissions from specific activities such as cement production, coal combustion, gas and oil usage, and land-use changes. These indicators help Mauritius track its progress towards reducing its carbon footprint in alignment with international climate agreements and national sustainability goals. The focus is on understanding the scale of emissions from different sectors to implement targeted strategies for emission reduction, such as enhancing energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy use, and improving waste management practices. This approach supports Mauritius' commitments to mitigating climate change impacts while promoting sustainable development across the island. |
- Per capita CO2 emissions from international commercial passenger flights, tourism-adjustedOECD & UNWTO
Renewable and Low-Carbon Energy | ||
| Renewable and Low-Carbon Energy refers to energy sources that produce minimal to no greenhouse gas emissions during generation. Renewable energy includes sources like solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, which naturally replenish. Low-carbon energy includes technologies that significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil fuel sources. | ||
| Mauritius tracks a variety of indicators to gauge the development and impact of renewable and low-carbon energy within its energy mix. These indicators include the renewable electricity-generating capacity per person, the share of electricity generated by low-carbon sources, and detailed metrics on electricity production from renewables such as solar, wind, and hydropower. As part of its strategy to combat climate change and enhance energy security, Mauritius is increasingly investing in these sectors, aiming to reduce dependence on imported fuels and lower carbon emissions. The indicators help Mauritius measure progress towards its renewable energy goals, informing policy adjustments and infrastructure investments necessary to transition to a more sustainable energy future. |
Hydro, Solar and Wind Specific |
see also IEA Energy (Mauritius)
| CLICK TO ACCESS INDICATORS | Description | |
Overview | Energy system of Mauritius The energy mix in Mauritius is dominated by coal and oil. Almost 10% of the country's final energy consumption is generated by modern renewable sources of energy – a share that has gradually decreased for the past 20 years. | |
Energy mix | Energy supply Total energy supply (TES) includes all the energy produced in or imported to a country, minus that which is exported or stored. It represents all the energy required to supply end users in the country. Some of these energy sources are used directly while most are transformed into fuels or electricity for final consumption. | |
Total CO2 Emissions | Total CO2 emissions from energy Energy is responsible for the majority of climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from the burning of fossil fuels. Despite efforts to reduce these emissions, the trajectory of CO2 emissions globally remains far higher than what is needed to avoid the worst effects of climate change. | |
Electricity | Sources of electricity generation Electricity can be generated in two main ways: by harnessing the heat from burning fuels or in the form of steam (thermal power) or by capturing the energy of natural forces such as the sun, wind or moving water. | |
Efficiency & demand | Understanding energy end uses To get an accurate picture of energy efficiency in a country, it is important to first look at how and where energy is being used. Total final consumption (TFC) is the energy consumed by end users such as individuals and businesses to heat and cool buildings, to run lights, devices, and appliances, and to power vehicles, machines and factories. | |
Share of Renewables | Share of renewables in energy consumption Renewables are an increasingly important source of energy as countries seek to reduce their CO2 emissions and dependence on imported fossil fuels. Renewables are mainly used to generate electricity, though renewable technologies can also be used for heating in homes and buildings. Renewable biofuels are also an emerging technology solution to decarbonise parts of the transport sector. Note that modern renewables excludes traditional uses of biomass, such as burning collected wood, agricultural byproducts or dung for cooking or heating. This has serious negative consequences on health and the environment, including contributing to millions of deaths annually from air pollution, and is targeted for phase-out in international development and climate goals and in the IEA's Net Zero scenario. | |
Oil | Oil supply Oil-based fuels power millions of automobiles, aircraft and ships around the world and are integral to modern life. But burning oil is also one of the leading sources of CO2 emissions. Efforts are underway to decarbonise sectors like transport that rely heavily on oil, but this is challenging in areas such as aviation where alternatives (e.g. electric power) still cannot match the energy density of petroleum fuels. The oil supply shown below combines crude and refined oil produces and includes oil production and oil imports minus oil that is exported or stored. | |
Coal | Coal supply The coal supply includes production and imports minus coal that is exported or stored. |
