Professor Khalil Elahee: "Avoiding Load Shedding is Possible Through Citizen Discipline Alone"
Professor Khalil Elahee, president of MARENA, advocates for a genuine culture of sobriety in the face of the energy crisis. In this interview, he calls for citizen responsibility, state leadership, and a sustainable legislative framework.
He poses a thought-provoking question: If every Mauritian household made a real effort to conserve energy—by reducing air conditioning use, unplugging devices on standby, etc.—what would be the overall impact on the grid? Is it truly possible to avoid load shedding solely through citizen discipline? The answer is clear: the impact would be significant. If every household turned off even one unnecessary light, it would result in an average reduction of 5 MW on the grid without any drawbacks. Furthermore, if consumers set their air conditioning to 25 °C when necessary, an additional reduction of at least 10 MW could be achieved, likely preventing load shedding in most scenarios. Yes, it is possible through citizen discipline, provided everyone participates.
He further discusses the comparative impact of a Mauritian giving up air conditioning versus a hotel switching to its generator, emphasizing the importance of focusing on larger consumers where demand is highest, as targeted actions can yield concrete results, albeit often at a higher economic cost.
Conversely, individual Mauritians can adopt simple actions: turning off unnecessary lights or managing their air conditioning intelligently and conservatively, which would also help save on bills. However, not everyone has the same level of energy awareness.
The two approaches should not be opposed but combined, with contributions from residential, industrial, and commercial consumers alike. It is akin to the good actions taught by religion: one must act and not refrain from doing anything because others do not. At its core, it is a matter of personal awareness and commitment, instilling meaning—not merely an effort made because authorities or CEB request it.
"A culture of energy management needs to be established," he emphasizes.
He also points out that while CEB has launched a sobriety campaign, public buildings—ministries, hospitals, schools—should also lead by example. The Council of Ministers has decided to establish 'Green Cells' in ministries to address energy wastage. Though the public sector does not operate during peak hours (from 6 PM to 9 PM), some buildings remain unnecessarily illuminated.
He expresses satisfaction in noting that the Energy Efficiency Management Office (EEMO) exemplifies best practices by completely turning off lights in its offices when unoccupied, particularly during lunch breaks. The airport and port are also taking initiatives. It is essential to establish a culture of energy management.
As for shopping centers, which operate full air conditioning all day, he questions whether discussions are underway to adapt their hours or temperatures during the crisis and who should take the first step. He acknowledges that some players have turned off numerous energy-hungry lamps at the authorities' request.
Changing habits regarding air conditioning is often more difficult, as customers enjoy the coolness of shopping centers, especially since they do not directly pay for electricity, even though it raises mall bills.
Shopping centers pay a higher tariff, incentivizing better management of their consumption. Some are already investing in solar photovoltaic systems with batteries. The Minister of Energy has announced the Time-of-Use tariff, likely limited to the commercial sector, where consumption growth is highest.
While voluntary approaches are ideal, if wastage persists, mandatory measures may need to be introduced. We are not at that point yet, as most players in the commercial sector, including hotels, are committed to the current campaign. MARENA and EEMO are also working together on several innovative solutions, such as solar cooling.
He calls for the adoption of a Sustainable Energy Act, emphasizing that it would provide a framework for renewable energies, similar to existing legislation for electricity and the environment. The law would recognize access to clean energy as a right and would require future governments to avoid promoting coal.
Currently, installing photovoltaic panels can be a challenging process, sometimes even illegal without CEB permission. Thus, a law is necessary to clarify this framework while ensuring public interest and safety are not compromised. A holistic approach is needed, integrating renewable energy and energy efficiency with other areas like transport and climate.
This legislative framework would accelerate corporate and community engagement in decentralized energy production, establishing a national energy policy aligned with the Constitution and shared aspirations. Some businesses should be required to source at least part of their energy demands from local and clean sources.
He reflects on the delay in achieving the Renewable Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) 2025-2035 target of 60% renewable energy, stating that the current crisis is not solely a result of this delay but also due to the failure to renew the non-renewable energy sector, which still accounts for 40% of the energy mix. Many pieces of equipment have exceeded their operational lifespan, leading to inefficiencies.
He argues that the shift of the target to 2035 is not just realistic but also reflective of the new global goals set by the Paris Agreement. This situation is unfortunate, as it indicates a regression in achieving energy efficiency, especially in managing demand.
He concludes by stating that the energy alert system (green-yellow-red) needs to be understood and followed by the population to avoid alert fatigue. Continuous education and awareness are crucial at all levels. The foundations of a genuine culture of energy management must be laid now, based on consciousness, sobriety, and responsibility. The day people act even outside crisis periods will mark true success.
Finally, he emphasizes that the most impactful daily gesture to prevent blackouts is to minimize air conditioning use, promoting natural ventilation, or using fans instead. For those without air conditioning, turning off unnecessary lights and devices is the most effective action.