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Mauritius Hits Record 545.7MW, Energy Crisis Looms Large
On Wednesday evening, January 22, Mauritius experienced an unprecedented spike in energy consumption, reaching a historic peak of 545.7 MW at 9 PM, significantly surpassing the previous record of 528 MW. This surge comes earlier than anticipated, as initial forecasts for February predicted a peak demand of 544 MW. The country’s energy sector is now facing unprecedented strain due to ongoing high temperatures, raising the possibility of power outages.
Traditionally, energy consumption peaks between 6 PM and 9 PM.
However, this recent record highlighted an alarming trend of unpredictability in energy use.
Experts from the Central Electricity Board (CEB) attribute the rapid increase to a combination of factors, including a hot summer season and increasing demand from both residential and industrial sectors.
At a press conference on Thursday – January 23, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities Patrick Assirvaden raised concerns about the situation.
“We must manage our energy demand rigorously and monitor it daily,” he stated.
With existing infrastructure already under pressure, the country risks facing electrical outages if the trend continues.
Further complicating matters, projections for February indicate that energy consumption could rise to between 550 and 551 MW, a level that CEB’s current capacity may struggle to meet.
This has alarmed authorities, fearing a rise in technical incidents across the energy network.
In response to this looming crisis, a crisis committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger is set to convene Tuesday, January 28, to discuss potential measures.
Among the strategies being considered by the Cabinet are initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and strengthen the resilience of the energy network.
Additionally, a public awareness campaign promoting responsible energy use is being planned.
Authorities are urging the public to take proactive steps to limit consumption during peak hours.
“It is crucial to use energy only when necessary,” Minister Assirvaden emphasized in an interview with Le Dimanche/L’hebdo.
This crisis underscores the structural weaknesses of Mauritius’ energy system.
Although efforts have been made to develop renewable energy sources, they remain insufficient to meet rising demand.
“Accelerating investments in clean energy and diversifying our energy sources is essential,” stated a renewable energy expert.
As the country braces for a challenging February, mobilization among authorities, businesses, and citizens will be vital to avert a major energy crisis.
Energy has become, more than ever, a critical issue for the future of Mauritius.
The record peak in demand has been attributed to a combination of intense heat and humidity, alongside a surge in air conditioner purchases.
Professor Khalil Elahee, an energy management expert, noted that the increase of around 30,000 air conditioners per year equates to an additional 30 MW in peak demand.
Refrigerators also consume significantly more energy during hot weather, exacerbating the situation.
Moreover, summer habits—such as staying awake late with lights and devices on—add to the demand.
Professor Elahee remarked, “Unless we take action, it is likely that we will see another record in the coming weeks.
But we have the power to change this together.” He emphasized the need for a cultural shift towards “energy sobriety,” which includes energy conservation, efficiency, and demand management strategies.
He suggested that informing consumers through national television, radio, and social media during peak hours can raise awareness about energy use.
Simple changes, such as setting air conditioners to 24 degrees instead of 16 degrees and turning off unnecessary lights, can significantly impact energy consumption.
Additionally, shifting laundry and ironing tasks to the weekend can help mitigate peak demand pressures, as could using natural ventilation when weather permits.
Professor Elahee insisted that the CEB must enhance its planning capabilities to anticipate peak demand effectively, drawing from successful strategies employed in neighboring regions, where electricity demand is predicted based on weather forecasts.
However, he cautioned against hasty decisions made under current circumstances, recalling past instances where similar situations justified questionable choices, such as the installation of the CT Power coal plant.
Meteorologists indicated that the heat will be particularly bothersome in the coming weeks, with March temperatures remaining high, albeit slightly cooler than January and February.
Recent forecasts for the summer of 2024-2025, released in October 2024, predict temperatures slightly above seasonal averages, with some days likely to exceed these averages by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.
In Port-Louis, maximum temperatures may reach up to 35.5 °C or even 36 °C, with other areas hovering around 31 °C.
Notably, heatwave conditions have already been recorded in January, with temperatures exceeding 35 °C in some regions.
The hottest temperatures typically occur between 1 PM and 4 PM.
Source: Defi Media
