• Mauritius plans to reach 60% renewable energy by 2030 but faces a looming 100 MW electricity deficit.

• The government calls for installation of a floating power plant running on heavy fuel oil or diesel, expected online by January 2026.

• Heavy reliance on fossil fuels and high debt levels expose Mauritius to economic risks, conflicting with its green ambitions.

Mauritius balances its green ambitions with urgent electricity supply challenges. The island aims to increase renewables from about 24% now to 60% of its energy mix by 2030. However, it faces grid saturation and a growing demand that creates immediate pressure on supply.

Officials estimate a 100 MW electricity capacity shortfall and launched a call for projects in June for a floating power plant powered by heavy fuel oil or diesel. This facility must generate between 90 and 110 MW and connect to the public grid for five years. The plant must be operational by January 2026, according to press reports on 23 July.

Electricity demand on the island is rising steadily. The Africa Energy Portal (AEP) recorded a peak demand of 567.9 MW in February 2025. This floating plant offers a quick fix, but contradicts Mauritius’ long-term energy strategy.

A Stopgap Measure Diverging From the Long-Term Strategy

The government's Renewable Energy Roadmap 2030 sets a target of 35% renewables by 2025 and 60% by 2030. Despite recent announcements of a 40 MW solar power plant backed by a 1.5 billion Mauritian rupee ($33 million) investment, renewables still account for a minority share.

Mauritius depends heavily on fossil fuels, which make up over 80% of its energy mix. This dependency, coupled with a debt level rising to 90% of GDP—beyond the legal 80% limit, according to the African Development Bank—exposes the country to economic and budgetary risks.

Heavy fuel oil costs Mauritius significantly. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports solar photovoltaics’ levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) averaged $0.043 per kWh in 2024, about 40% cheaper than the cheapest fossil fuel options. This cost gap underlines the fragility of Mauritius’ temporary reliance on imported fossil fuels.

This article was initially published in French by Abdel-Latif Boureima
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum