Blackout Fears Rise: CEB Warns of Complicated Situation after 2-engine Breakdown

The Central Electricity Board (CEB) in Mauritius experienced a new surge of tension on Friday, 3rd October, after two engine failures — one at the Belle Vue Thermal Power Station and another at the Southern station — led to a 55-megawatt deficit on the national grid.

This loss is equivalent to the consumption of approximately 150,000 households, and a CEB official has warned the situation is “very critical” for the utility.

Crisis Management and Public Appeal

Thierry Ramasawmy, CEB’s Head of Communications, confirmed the deficit, stating, “The CEB is experiencing a deficit on its electrical network following the failure of two engines.

This situation will be very critical for the CEB and we ask the public to show collaboration.”

The utility has avoided immediate widespread power cuts, insisting that a “critical situation” requiring such measures hasn’t been reached yet.

However, the CEB is urging the public, including businesses, to exercise responsible consumption and limit non-essential use to manage the strain.

Mr. Ramasawmy acknowledged that the situation could worsen if rising summer heat increases demand and if engine repairs are delayed, noting that the CEB risks facing a “very complicated situation” if independent producers cannot fix their engines quickly.

Near Miss and Hotel Sector Help

Mauritius narrowly avoided a power outage on Friday evening. The CEB had initially announced a “red alert” anticipating a peak demand of 445 MW, but the actual peak stopped at 431.2 MW at 7 PM, offering temporary relief.

Crucially, the hotel sector stepped in, with at least 14 establishments switching to their own generators to alleviate pressure on the national grid. Jocelyn Kwok, CEO of the Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs of Mauritius (AHRIM), confirmed their members were asked to “lend a hand” following the red alert.

Negotiations are also underway with the hotel sector to formalise a ‘Plan B’ to lighten the national network load in the event of prolonged tension.

Political Fallout and Energy Policy Debate

The grid crisis has quickly attracted political scrutiny. Joe Lesjongard, Leader of the Opposition, denounced what he called the CEB’s “haphazard management,” criticising the lack of a General Manager for ten months and citing a “total lack of planning and a delay in engine maintenance.”

In contrast, Khalil Elahee, President of the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA), believes the “demand remains manageable” and sees no need to panic, though he stressed the need for future public awareness campaigns for more responsible electricity use.

However, sustainability expert Sunil Dowarkasing questioned the deeper issue of the country’s dependency on independent producers and the failure of energy policy, lamenting that “for fifteen years, the same promises about the energy transition have been repeated, but the democratisation of electricity production remains just words.”

Source: Defi Media