Mauritius has made significant progress in solar energy development, with an installed solar power capacity exceeding 100 MW as of 2023. The country has implemented a range of solar projects, including the notable 2 MW Anahita Solar Farm and the 20 MW Solitude Solar Park, contributing to its renewable energy goals.⁵

Mauritius has ambitious plans for expanding its solar capacity. The country’s projected solar power capacity is set to exceed 375 MW by 2030, with investments in large-scale solar farms and residential rooftop installations. This growth is part of a broader strategy to achieve 60% renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2030.⁶

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Coal: $4.50, Mainly used for base-load power generation.

Natural Gas: $5.00, Used for both base-load and peak-load power generation.

Solar PV: $6.99, Average sales price, includes installation and maintenance costs.

Wind: $7.50, Higher cost due to variability and maintenance of wind turbines.

Biomass (Bagasse): $3.00, Mainly used during the sugarcane harvest season.

Hydro: $4.00, Limited by seasonal water availability.

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Coal: Coal is the primary energy source for electricity generation, contributing about 47.6% in 2023. Coal is relatively economical but comes with high environmental costs due to CO₂ emissions.

Fuel Oil: Accounting for around 37.4% of electricity generation, fuel oil is also widely used. It is slightly more expensive than coal but is a stable source of energy.

Bagasse and Other Renewables: Renewable sources like bagasse (14.1%), hydro, wind, and solar together account for 17.6% of electricity production. Solar and wind energy are increasing but still make up a minor share due to initial setup costs.

Mauritius enjoys reliable electricity availability, with the national grid providing electricity 24 hours a day on demand.⁹

Mauritius has made notable strides in residential solar panel installations as part of its renewable energy initiatives. Under the “Home Solar Project,” supported by the Central Electricity Board (CEB) and financed partly by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the goal was to equip 10,000 households with solar panels. By early 2024, 2,000 households had already been fitted with solar systems, producing an estimated 2 MW of energy. The project’s total capacity is expected to reach 10 MW once fully implemented.¹⁰

Installed Solar Farms: As of now, Mauritius hosts multiple solar farms, including those operated by groups like Qair, which manages three solar and wind energy farms with a combined capacity of 35 MW​.¹¹

Projected Solar Farms: Qair plans to add 60 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity with integrated Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Other projects, like the Amaury solar farm, are also in progress, adding about 8–9 MW. These efforts are part of the national strategy to transition to 60% renewable energy by 2030.¹²

Installed: Under the Home Solar Project, approximately 10 MW of rooftop solar systems are being installed on 10,000 households, primarily focusing on social housing. By early 2024, systems had been implemented in 2,000 homes, with the initiative expected to significantly reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions.²³

Projected: The projected off-grid solar panel market demand in Mauritius is set to grow steadily, driven by increasing interest in renewable energy solutions and government initiatives to support solar adoption. By 2030, the off-grid segment is expected to account for a significant portion of the market share, with the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors contributing to this growth.¹⁴

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Installed: As of recent years, Mauritius has installed approximately 87.2 MWp of large-scale utility solar PV capacity. Including smaller installations, the total committed capacity stood at 125.5 MWdc, primarily driven by private sector investments​.

Projected: By 2030, Mauritius is expected to increase its utility-scale solar farms significantly. Six additional solar farms have been commissioned, and public-private partnerships aim to add hybrid renewable energy facilities with capacities exceeding 140 MW.

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The average monthly income for workers in the solar industry in Mauritius varies by job role and experience. For example, solar engineers earn an average of approximately $858 to $880 USD  per month, with experienced professionals earning higher salaries. Entry-level roles, such as installation technicians, typically earn less, while senior roles or specialized engineers may command more.

Overall, the average wage across all industries in Mauritius was reported to be $864 USD per month as of late 2023, indicating that solar industry roles are competitive with national averages​

The population of Mauritius is approximately 1.26 million as of 2024.¹⁷

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Rent and Mortgage: Renting a small-scale industrial facility costs approximately $660 to $1,760 USD per month, depending on size and location.

Mortgage costs for purchasing such spaces depend on financing terms, with monthly payments varying based on local interest rate.

Utilities: Basic utilities for industrial use include electricity, water, and waste management, which average $150–$200 per month for smaller operations. Larger-scale facilities may incur proportionally higher utility costs​.

Labor Costs: The average monthly income for workers in the solar manufacturing industry in Mauritius is around $870–$1,000, influenced by skills and expertise levels.

Maintenance: Annual maintenance costs typically include cleaning and system checks, ranging from $990 to $2,640 USD. ​annually for small- to medium-scale setups. These costs may rise for larger or more complex operations​​.

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Mauritius is actively working to enhance its energy infrastructure with a focus on renewable energy and sustainability. The country is transitioning from reliance on imported fossil fuels toward a greener energy mix, aligning with its target of achieving 60% renewable energy in its electricity generation by 2030. This includes substantial investments in solar, wind, and bioenergy projects, along with battery energy storage systems to support grid stability and increased renewable capacity. Solar energy has gained significant momentum in Mauritius, with initiatives like free rooftop photovoltaic kits for low-income households and investments in large-scale solar farms. Other projects include the integration of smart grids and the deployment of renewable energy training programs for communities to promote technical skills and employment in the sector. By 2024, Mauritius has achieved a renewable energy contribution of around 19% to its electricity generation​. Additionally, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other international organizations are supporting this transition through funding and technical assistance, ensuring long-term sustainability and low-carbon economic growth. These developments reflect Mauritius’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, as part of its contributions to the Paris Agreement on climate change​.

Current Energy Mix:

Thermal Power Stations: The Central Electricity Board (CEB), the sole agency for electricity transmission, distribution, and sale in Mauritius, operates four thermal power stations that supply about 40% of the nation’s electricity.

Hydroelectric Plants: Additionally, CEB manages eight hydroelectric plants, contributing to the renewable energy portfolio. 

Independent Power Producers (IPPs): The remaining 60% of electricity is sourced from IPPs, primarily private generators in the sugarcane industry utilizing bagasse (sugarcane waste) and imported coal.

Renewable Energy Initiatives:

Biomass: Bagasse remains the leading renewable energy source, accounting for 89% of renewable electricity generation. The government has recognized biomass as a major renewable energy source and has set a bagasse selling price of Rs 3.50 ($0.08) per kWh for all sugarcane planters and producers.

Solar Energy: The government aims to develop a renewable energy roadmap to facilitate private sector investment in solar energy. As of mid-2019, the total capacity committed for solar stood at 125.5 MWdc, with 105 MWdc owned by the private sector. The Home Solar Project, which includes the installation of 10,000 rooftop solar panels, was inaugurated in 2018.

Wind Energy: Over the past few years, more than 120 MW of installed capacity from wind and solar farms have been commissioned. A project pipeline of solar and solar with battery storage is also in development.

Marine Renewable Energy: Studies have explored the potential for offshore wind, wave energy, tidal energy, and deep ocean water applications (DOWA) in Mauritius. While these technologies are still in the early stages, they offer promising avenues for future energy diversification.

Regulatory and Institutional Framework:

Central Electricity Board (CEB): Established in 1952, CEB is responsible for electricity generation and distribution in Mauritius.

Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA): Created in 2016, MARENA promotes the use of renewable energy in Mauritius. It is leading major consultancy projects, including the United Nations Development Program – Green Climate Fund Project on “Accelerating the Transformational Shift to Low Carbon Economy in the Republic of Mauritius.”

Utility Regulatory Authority (URA): Established in 2017, the URA regulates electricity, water, and wastewater services in Mauritius, though it is not yet fully functional.

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• Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) and Tax Credits: The government encourages investment in solar energy through FiTs, which allow producers to sell surplus electricity to the grid, and tax credits for renewable energy installations. These policies aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support private sector participation in the solar energy market​.
• National Renewable Energy Roadmap: The “Roadmap 2030” targets increasing solar energy capacity to over 375 MW, requiring significant investment in infrastructure. It is part of Mauritius’ broader strategy to achieve 35% renewable energy in its mix by 2025​.
• Central Electricity Board (CEB) Initiatives: The CEB supports solar adoption through projects like the Home Solar Project, which provides households with subsidized solar systems and encourages injecting surplus energy into the grid. This program also includes outreach campaigns to boost adoption.
• Land Use and Environmental Regulations: Due to limited land availability, large-scale solar projects face challenges. Authorities emphasize careful planning and land use, sometimes integrating solar systems with agricultural activities. However, the use of state and private lands for renewable energy is tightly regulated to avoid environmental degradation​.
• International Collaboration: Mauritius partners with organizations like IRENA and ADFD to secure funding and technical expertise for clean energy projects. These collaborations aim to increase solar capacity and meet long-term sustainability goals.

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• Home Solar Project (HSP): Under the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities and the Central Electricity Board (CEB), this project received $10 million in concessional funding from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and is part of the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility. It plans to install 10,000 rooftop solar PV systems, focusing on social housing, with systems provided and installed free for eligible households. The initiative contributes to achieving 60% renewable energy in electricity generation by 2030 and supports carbon emission reductions.
• Investment in Solar Photovoltaics and Battery Systems: Companies like Qair have partnered with Mauritius to develop solar PV and battery storage facilities. Their projects contribute to grid stability and align with the national goal of renewable energy expansion, helping to phase out coal-powered plants​.
• Subsidized Renewable Energy Projects: Mauritius offers incentives to households hosting solar installations, such as reduced electricity costs and injection of surplus electricity into the grid. This has been accompanied by awareness campaigns to encourage participation​.

• Arsenal Solar Plant: Developed by GreenYellow Indian Ocean Green, this 10 MW solar plant was inaugurated in 2024. It spans 12 hectares and contributes 22.5 GWh annually to the grid. This project supports Mauritius’ goal of achieving 60% renewable energy by 2030​.²⁵
• Qair Hybrid Solar Projects: Qair has initiated four solar PV and battery storage hybrid projects across Mauritius, totaling 60 MW. These projects include facilities in Trou d’Eau Douce, Balaclava, and Petite-Rivière. They are designed to provide renewable energy during peak evening hours and enhance grid stability, with commissioning planned for 2024.²⁶
• AfDB-Backed Solar-Plus-Storage Projects: A 100 MW solar PV initiative with integrated battery storage is under development, supported by the African Development Bank. This project aims to bolster renewable energy capacity, helping Mauritius reach its 2025 target of 35% renewable energy in the energy mix.²⁷

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Reneworld Lt

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Solaire Maurice

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AFC Trading

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GO SOLAR LTD

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• Services: Solar panel installations, maintenance, and consultancy
• Specialization: Residential and commercial solar solutions

Solar Center

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Synnove Energy

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Corexsolar International

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CSI Energy Group

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• Services: Solar energy systems, energy audits, consultancy
• Specialization: Large-scale solar projects, industrial solar solutions

Daystar Power

• Founded: 2015
• Services: Solar power solutions, energy management
• Specialization: Solar farms, commercial solar installations