Overview

The government’s energy policy encourages the use of renewable and clean energy to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.  Official statistics for 2020 indicated that the percentage of renewables used for electricity generation was 23.9 percent, compared to 21.7 percent in 2019.  In its 2021-2022 budget speech, the government announced plans to increase the use of renewable sources of energy for electricity generation to 60 percent, phase out the use of coal, and increase energy efficiency by 10 percent, all by 2030.  The government also reviewed the Renewable Energy Roadmap 2030, initially published in 2019, to reflect Mauritius’s strategy to achieve the goals announced in the latest budget speech.  It aims to do this through wind farms, solar energy, biomass, wave, and waste-to-energy projects.  Bagasse (sugarcane waste) is currently the leading source of renewable energy (13.3 percent).  Mauritius derives its other renewable electricity generation from hydro, wind, landfill gas, and solar.

The Central Electricity Board (CEB), which falls under the aegis of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, is the sole agency for transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in Mauritius.  The CEB currently produces about 37 percent of the country’s total power requirement from four thermal power stations and 10 hydroelectric plants.  The bulk of the country’s energy derives from heavy fuel oil and coal.  The remaining 39 percent of the country’s power requirement is purchased from independent power producers, mainly private generators from the sugarcane industry using bagasse during the sugarcane harvesting season from June to November and imported coal outside of the harvesting season from December to May.  One independent power producer that was providing the country with 17 percent of its energy needs ceased all operations in April 2022, stating that its operation costs linked to imported coal were no longer viable.  However, in June 2022, the producer resumed power generation from bagasse, only to stop again in November 2022, at the end of the harvesting season.  Going forward, the power producer will only be operational during the sugarcane harvesting season when it can use bagasse as its primary energy generating material.  

In his 2020 budget speech, the finance minister announced the commissioning of a battery energy storage system of 14 MW, which was completed and inaugurated in December 2021.  Of the total cost of the project ($10 million), $7.5 million was funded by the UNDP Green Climate Fund.  The system was installed by Siemens France.  The finance minister also announced plans to increase the capacity of the solar PV farm at Henrietta, situated in the central western part of Mauritius, from 2 MW to 10 MW; the CEB subsequently launched a tender for an 8MW ac solar PV farm project valued at $8 million.  The CEB awarded the contract to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), an Indian company specialized in power production, photovoltaics, and transmission solutions.  Other measures announced in the reviewed 2030 renewable energy roadmap include the setting up of a 2MW floating photovoltaic at Tamarind Falls, as well as home solar projects.  Following the 2021 budget measures announced for the energy sector, the government worked on a national biomass framework, expected to be published before the end of 2022.        

The Mauritian government has also been undertaking legal and institutional reforms in the energy sector.  In 2016, the government created the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA) to promote the use of renewable energy in Mauritius.  Under a co-funding agreement between UNDP-Green Climate Fund and SADC-PPDF, MARENA has hired Estudios Energeticos Consultores S.A. to establish a “National Grid Code and Development of Standards, Funding and Incentive Strategy for Renewable Energy in Mauritius.”  The project will include recommendations on norms and standards for renewable energy technologies as well as standards for the accreditation of installers, technicians, and professionals in the sector.  In December 2020, the Electricity Act and the Central Electricity Board Act were both amended to harmonize previous legislation and regulations.  In 2016, the government officially launched the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) to regulate electricity, water, and wastewater, but the entity was not fully functional until 2019.  In August 2019, the URA launched its three-year strategic business plan with the assistance of the Africa Development Bank and the African Legal Support Facility.  The Energy Efficiency Act provides for product labeling and importation of energy efficient equipment, and the Building Control Act of 2011 aims to improve energy efficiency in building design.  In December 2018, the Smart Grid Roadmap for Mauritius was launched to help the CEB integrate new technologies in the power system that will enhance reliability, safety, and security.

The government offers tax incentives to companies that make clean energy investments through provisions in the 1995 Income Tax Act, the Customs Act, and the Value Added Tax Act.  The tax incentives for a company include:  (i) double deduction of the expenditure of a fast charger for an electric car; (ii) an annual allowance of 100 percent on the capital expenditure for the acquisition of a solar energy unit; (iii) an annual allowance of 50 percent (straight line) on the capital expenditure for the acquisition of green technology equipment; (iv) tax exemption on interest perceived by a company that invests in renewable energy projects through debentures and bonds; (v) eight-year tax holiday for companies that use deep ocean water for providing air conditioning services; and, (vi) customs duty and value added tax exemption on any purchase of photovoltaic systems and chargers for electric vehicles.

In his 2022 budget speech, the finance minister announced additional measures to promote the use of clean energy sources and to make the energy sector more efficient.  These measures include:  (i) the setting up of hybrid renewable energy facilities in partnership with private promoters for a total capacity of 140 W; (ii) investing in a 14 MW solar photovoltaic system by Airports of Mauritius Ltd.; (iii) installation of a 20 MW battery energy storage system at Amaury by CEB; and, (iv) installation of 5,000 solar PV kits with a total capacity of 9 MW on rooftops of private residences, NGOs, and charitable and religious institutions.  In addition, to further incentivize the use of electric vehicles, the government announced the following measures:  (i) the acquisition of 200 electric buses by the National Transport Corporation; (ii) making all hybrid and electric vehicles duty-free as of July 1, 2022; and, (iii) introducing a negative excise duty scheme of 10 percent for the purchase of electric vehicles by individuals up to a maximum of $4587.  The government developed a 10-year electric vehicle integration roadmap for Mauritius in 2020.

(Total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)

Data Sources: i) Statistics Mauritius, ii) Embassy Estimates for 2021

Leading Sub-Sectors

• Photovoltaic cells and technology
• Solar energy technology for solar water heaters
• Waste-to-energy plant for burning solid waste
• Pumping of cold sea water for air conditioning
• Wind turbines
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects
• Green building design services and equipment
• Energy efficiency projects and energy audits
• Electric vehicles
• Bioenergy

Opportunities

Solar Technology:  Much of Mauritius receives almost year-round, intensive sunlight that makes solar photovoltaic (PV) energy an attractive energy option, with a potential average annual solar radiation value of some 6 kWh/m2/day.  To achieve the target of 60 percent renewable energy by 2030, Mauritius has commissioned six more solar farms.  From the last tendered Solar PV projects in 2016, all of them have now been connected to the CEB Grid, with a total capacity of 66.15MWp.  The total installed capacity of large-scale utility PV was estimated at 87.2MWp as of April 2021.  As of mid-2020, the total capacity committed for solar stood at 125.5 MWdc, of which 105 MWdc is owned by the private sector.  The government’s Home Solar Project, which includes the installation of 10,000 roof-top solar panels, was inaugurated in 2018.  A loan of $10 million from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is being used to implement this project.  In the 2021 budget speech, the finance minister announced a concessionary loan of 2 percent to enable households to purchase solar kits for domestic use.  A public investment of Rs 650 million ($16 million) is planned for the installation of solar panels on government buildings, including hospitals and educational institutions, and for the provision of solar water heaters to 2,000 households.  A grant of 50 percent up to a maximum of Rs 400,000 ($10,000) will be provided on the purchase and installation of solar powered cold rooms by registered planters cultivating on a minimum of one hectare of land.  In 2021, the CEB requested proposals for the purchase of electrical energy from utility scale solar voltaic farms.  The government also announced measures for promoting the uptake of electric vehicles, namely by allowing owners of electric vehicles to install a PV system not exceeding 10kW to charge their vehicles and export any surplus to the grid, and to encourage private investment in charging infrastructure points across the island.

Waste-to-Energy:  Mauritius produces about 500,000 tons of solid waste per year and its only landfill site is nearly full.  Accordingly, in 2016 CEB issued a Request for Proposals for a 24 MW waste-to-energy project.  The Mauritius Research Council also conducted research into waste-to-energy projects, including one on the use of arundo donax biomass for energy production.  In his 2018 budget speech, the prime minister announced plans for a 20-plus MW waste-to-energy project.  A bid invitation was launched in 2018 but the tendering process for the project was unsuccessful.  The project was announced once again in the 2019-2020 budget speech.  However, the CEB informed Post in April 2021 that the waste to energy project was under review due to changes in supply and demand forecasts.  Wind and Wave Energy:  The CEB has signed two Energy Supply and Purchase Agreements with two foreign firms for wind farm projects.  The first project for 9 MW was completed in 2016 by French company Quadran in joint venture with a local partner.  The second project of 29 MW, involving Indian firm Suzlon in joint venture with a local partner stalled amid legal problems and allegations of fraud.  Preliminary research carried out by the Mauritius Research Council (MRC) shows potential for the development of offshore wind farms, as well as wave energy, in the waters of Mauritius and Rodrigues.  In 2015, Australian company Carnegie Wave Energy Ltd. signed a Collaboration Agreement with MRC to explore opportunities for commercial wave energy plants and experiments are ongoing.  In 2016, the Embassy in collaboration with MRC organized a workshop on offshore wind energy with an expert from U.S. company General Electric.  In 2017, MRC issued an Expression of Interest for consultants with experience in the development of offshore wind farms and has, to date, garnered 40 interested bidders.  In 2018, Italy signed a memorandum of understanding to provide up to $2.3 million to co-finance activities, including the promotion of tidal energy and the establishment of a pilot tidal energy project.  In June 2019, MARENA set up a National Scheme for Emerging/Innovative Renewable Energy Technologies (NSEIRET) to explore energy technologies not exceeding 200 kW.  After the first round of proposals in 2019, Tesla Cascading Hydro Plant by Lumitech-True Tesla Technologies and Skysails Power for Base Load Wind Energy by IBL Energy were selected, both for an allocated capacity of 100 kW.  Because the allocated capacity of 2 MW was not reached, MARENA requested further proposals in February 2021 and in August 2021.

Energy Efficiency/Green Building: As part of a general move away from fossil fuel-generated energy, opportunities exist for energy efficiency, audit, management, and advisory projects targeting large energy consumers.  The 2011 Building Control Act provides opportunities for consultancy services in designing “green” buildings and supplying related equipment and materials.  Energy efficiency is now one of the main criteria in the design of public buildings and in rental of private buildings.  According to MARENA, there are currently no building integrated photovoltaics in Mauritius.  The Green Building Council Mauritius was set up in 2009 to promote green building and is a member of World Green Building Council.

Battery Storage:  Mauritius aims to increase the share of renewable energy sources in its energy mix, which leads to fluctuating power injection.  The installation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is required to reduce fluctuation from variable renewable energy sources.  The Central Electricity Board (CEB) has already installed 18 MW of BESS spread over 6 sub-stations.  The CEB also launched a tender through the Central Procurement Board (CPB) for the design, manufacturing, installation, testing, and commissioning of the battery energy storage system.  Five companies responded to the tender, which closed in February 2022:  Shandong Electrical Engineering Equipment Group, Akuo Energy Solutions, Sotravic Limitee, Siemens SAS, and China National Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd.  The CPB is currently evaluating the responses.  The 2022-2023 budget announced further plans to install 20 MW BESS at a sub-station where a 2 MW BESS has already been installed. 

Deep Ocean Water Application (DOWA) Project:  Deep Ocean Water Application (DOWA) projects are often known in the United States as “O-tech” or Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC).  A Mauritian company, Sotravic, through its subsidiary named Urban Cooling Ltd., is developing a project to pump cold sea water from a deep ocean current into downtown Port Louis for air conditioning.  Sotravic retained the U.S. company Makai Ocean Engineering to carry out the feasibility study and the conceptual design of the project.  In October 2016, Sotravic conducted offshore marine surveys to enable the company to proceed with the design and construction.  In 2017, Urban Cooling obtained an Environmental Impact Assessment License for the project.  An Offtake Agreement between Urban Cooling and the Mauritian government is currently under negotiations.  In addition to air conditioning, Sotravic is considering the next phase of the project, which could involve using cold ocean water for bottling, aquaculture, seaweed cultivation, thalassotherapy, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG):  In 2017, the Ministry of Energy issued an international call for proposals for consultancy services for a feasibility study for liquefied natural gas.  In 2018, the Central Electricity Board launched a tender for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant.  The project stalled due to financing issues.  The governments of Mauritius and Madagascar have reportedly held high-level discussions in 2019 to discuss cooperation regarding the supply of LNG.  In the 2019 budget speech, the prime minister announced the setting up of a regional value chain for LNG as well as partial financing for the CCGT project.  In early 2021, PricewaterhouseCoopers India finished the first phase of a feasibility study to assess the potential of Mauritius as an LNG hub for the region.  In May 2022, the CEB published a Request for Information (RFI) from potential developers for the supply of electricity through barge mounted LNG power plant.  The objective of the RFI, which closed in June 2022, was to probe the market to gather information to prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purchase of power supplied by power barges,

Biomass:  In December 2020, the World Bank published a sugarcane sector review competitiveness analysis that recommended an increase in the share of biomass for power production.  This recommendation was in line with the Mauritian government’s objectives to increase renewable energy sources for power production in the local power mix.  In the 2021-2022 budget, the government recognized biomass as a major source of renewable energy and announced the setting up of a national biomass framework and a bagasse selling price of Rs 3.50 ($0.08) per kWh for all sugarcane planters and producers. The ministry of agro-industry and food security is spearheading the development of the framework.

Partnering with Mauritian Firms in Africa:  Several Mauritian firms are currently involved in or investigating renewable energy projects, particularly hydropower and PV solar farms, in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Madagascar, and Ghana.  U.S. firms could partner with Mauritian companies to implement energy projects on mainland Africa with the support of Power Africa.  Launched in 2013, Power Africa is a market-driven, U.S. Government-led public-private partnership created to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa.  It offers private sector entities the tools and resources needed to do business in Africa’s power sector.  In 2016, the Electrify Africa Act institutionalized Power Africa.