Sunil Dowarkasing: "The Situation Reveals the Energy Vulnerability of Mauritius"

According to Sunil Dowarkasing, an energy expert and former advisor to international organizations, the current situation serves as a warning signal that highlights the structural fragility of Mauritius' energy model. He states that this crisis clearly demonstrates how exposed the country remains to geopolitical uncertainties and fluctuations in international markets. "This situation reveals an energy vulnerability that I have been pointing out for over 15 years. Mauritius' dependence on fossil fuels directly exposes us to disruptions in global supply chains," he explains.

Dowarkasing reminds us that the importation of petroleum products constitutes a significant part of the national energy bill and heavily impacts the trade balance. "The importation of fossil fuels represents a substantial energy cost for Mauritius. This has a direct impact on the national economy," he emphasizes. Beyond the economic aspect, the expert also addresses the environmental challenges associated with this energy model. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbates the effects of climate change, a phenomenon to which small island states are particularly vulnerable. For Sunil Dowarkasing, the current situation must serve as a wake-up call. "This crisis highlights the urgency for Mauritius to reduce its energy dependence and accelerate the transition to more sustainable and local energy sources," he asserts.

The expert also warns of the potential consequences if international tensions lead to a sustained increase in oil prices. Such a scenario could directly impact the electricity production costs, especially for thermal power stations operated by the Central Electricity Board (CEB) and independent electricity producers. "If the prices of heavy fuel oil or diesel continue to rise, electricity production costs will inevitably increase," he cautions.

He believes that these price increases often end up being passed on to consumers. "Even if operators have mechanisms to temporarily absorb these costs, it is often the consumers, particularly the most modest households, who end up shouldering the bill," he adds. For him, the current crisis underscores once again the necessity for a deeper transformation of Mauritius' energy model to strengthen the country's energy security and reduce its exposure to external shocks.