Energy Under the Test of Transition

Title: Energy Under the Test of Transition

Menaced by power cuts at the end of 2025, the energy system enters the new year amidst a transformation. The country is trying to balance energy supply security with climate ambitions, but numerous obstacles remain.

In October 2025, Mauritius narrowly avoided power cuts. This alarm prompted the government to urgently appoint Professor Khalil Elahee from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Mauritius as the part-time head of the Energy Efficiency Management Office (EEMO). This addition complements his role as the chairperson of the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA). Since then, Professor Elahee has held a unique position in the Mauritian energy landscape: he is involved in both supply — renewable energies — and demand — managing consumption. This dual role allows him to gauge the magnitude of the challenge: transforming an energy system still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, while ensuring the lights stay on.

"The difficulty that MARENA faced in recruiting a CEO has made me reflect a lot," he admits. "From the outside, I often criticized the slow pace of the energy transition, but I now realize that strengthening our capacities is absolutely essential."

The conclusion is clear: Mauritius lacks the skills needed to lead its transition. Only recently did MARENA staff begin to receive free training offered by partner countries, a delay that impacts daily project implementation.

Three Priorities to Overcome Stagnation

For Khalil Elahee, 2026 must focus on three priorities. First, consolidating human resources, this "greatest wealth" of the country that urgently needs training.

Second, strengthening the institutional framework through the implementation of the new strategic plan for renewable energies. "Without this, there won’t be a genuine roadmap. We risk continuing to announce projects that never materialize, as has been the case over the past ten years," he warns.

The third priority concerns managing energy demand, with the introduction of a practical program via EEMO. "This will take time, but if we can launch minimum energy performance standards for refrigerators in 2026, it will be a significant step forward."

This pragmatic vision contrasts with government announcements, often ambitious but rarely realized. For the past three months, strict standards have been imposed on the importation of air conditioners. "The future will tell to what extent they have contributed and will continue to contribute to stability," notes Professor Elahee cautiously.

For now, the risk of power cuts remains "well managed," particularly thanks to the national energy-saving campaign led by EEMO. The Red-Yellow-Green alert system seems to be functioning. "If we avoided power cuts, it is also due to energy sobriety efforts," he emphasizes, while calling for vigilance in the coming months.

The Delay in Domestic Photovoltaics

With the perspective gained from his presidency at MARENA, Khalil Elahee candidly acknowledges that the country is lagging significantly in installing photovoltaic panels on rooftops. "I am disappointed that we are not able to move faster," he admits.

However, he adds, "There is a 'silver lining': some countries that invested heavily in solar energy now find themselves with a surplus production in the mornings. This is the case in La Réunion or Australia." This situation forces these territories to invest heavily in battery storage.

It is precisely on this point that Mauritius must focus its efforts. "In the short and medium term, we will need to invest in batteries. The real question is: who will invest?" questions Professor Khalil Elahee. The strategic plan of MARENA proposes a framework to identify the best solutions, but an alternative approach exists: subsidizing domestic solar installations. "This is a fair and achievable proposal, provided there is access to climate financing."

For Professor Elahee, another equally crucial investment is university training. "Making postgraduate courses paid has harmed us significantly. A young person training part-time, with a family and professional responsibilities, needs support. This is an investment that will yield great returns tomorrow. I hope the government will reconsider this decision."

Institutions Ill-Suited for Transition

Beyond technical issues, he points out a structural problem: Mauritian institutions have never been designed to lead an energy transition. "Where do we see the transition in the Electricity Act or the CEB Act?" he questions. He reminds us that the Central Electricity Board (CEB), the historic operator, has not had a plan since 2023. Even the regulator, the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA), struggles to articulate energy security and emission reduction. "Some will say that it’s not their mandate. They are not wrong... but then, who takes care of it?"

The professor acknowledges that he refused to separate energy security from a low-carbon transition, viewing them as the same struggle. "But I was thinking outside the institutional framework," he admits. The solution he advocates: a framework law, a Sustainable Energy Act, capable of finally linking demand, supply, and climate goals. "The strategic plan of MARENA proposes this approach, and I am pleased the minister has taken note. This text could be counterpart to the renewable energy law announced for March 2026."

This future legislation aims to regulate the rise of green projects, avoid the establishment of "dubious companies," according to sources close to the file, and ensure that all projects are regulated by the CEB. The stated goal: to enhance transparency and sustainably structure the sector.

Three Structuring Projects for 2026

On the ground, several concrete initiatives are emerging. The Agri-Solar project, implemented by CEB, targets farmers and encourages them to install photovoltaic panels on their lands without compromising their activities. According to a source at the Ministry of Public Services and Energy, 17 individuals have already expressed interest. The project is expected to allow the injection of about 40 megawatts into the national grid.

Another key project is the Tamarind Falls Solar PV Project, the country’s first floating solar power plant. Estimated at Rs 2.2 billion, this project is being developed under a Government-to-Government agreement between Mauritius and India. Located on the Tamarind Falls basin, the plant will have a capacity ranging between 17.5 and 20 megawatts. The project is being executed by the Indian National Thermal Power Corporation, in collaboration with CEB.

Meanwhile, the Plaine-des-Roches wind farm remains under study. Potential site expansion is under discussion, particularly due to land issues. The Ministry of Housing and Land is working with energy authorities to assess the necessary conditions.

Regional Cooperation: An Underutilized Lever

To achieve the goal of 60% renewable energy in electricity production by 2035, Professor Khalil Elahee believes that regional cooperation must become a central lever. "With food security imperatives, we must optimize our spaces and consider sustainable biomass agriculture on a regional scale. I proposed this over ten years ago, but its implementation now exceeds both MARENA and the supervising ministry," he explains.

He advocates for a collective commitment beyond Mauritian borders. Cooperation with India and China represents a strategic opportunity. "In China, batteries, electric vehicles, and photovoltaic technologies are heavily subsidized, making them more accessible for import. We must seize these opportunities," he emphasizes.

Concurrently, the government is exploring transitional solutions to secure supply. The option of liquefied natural gas (LNG) remains under consideration. Several countries have expressed their willingness to support Mauritius, and an official visit to Qatar is planned for 2026 to engage in exploratory discussions. This option is divisive: for some, it secures the network; for others, it prolongs dependence on fossil fuels.

A Gradual Transformation

Mauritius enters 2026 in a context of gradual but strategic transformation. The country remains marked by a strong dependence on fossil fuels and a network under increasing pressure. The rise of renewable energies, combined with a reinforced regulatory framework, outlines a trajectory. However, the path is fraught with challenges: ill-suited institutions, a skills shortage, delays in domestic solar initiatives, and administrative slowness.

"Decisions often take too long to translate into actions. We must acknowledge our weaknesses and improve implementation," insists Professor Khalil Elahee. What he advocates for 2026 is a systemic vision that transcends institutional silos and places energy at the heart of a coherent national strategy. "This is the key message for the upcoming year."

It remains to be seen whether this year will finally mark the transition from announcement to realization. The minister announced the forthcoming implementation of Time-of-Use pricing, a measure that should strengthen collective engagement towards demand management. A signal among others that 2026 could be the year when Mauritius stops merely discussing energy transition and finally puts it into practice.