Mauritius Imposes New Energy Restrictions to Combat Waste from 1 May

A sweeping set of energy regulations will come into force across Mauritius on 1 May 2026, targeting “non-essential” electricity consumption in a national bid to curb energy waste.

The Energy Efficiency (Control of Non-Essential Grid-Powered Activities) Regulations 2026 are set to run for six months, concluding on 1 November 2026.

These rules apply specifically to non-residential customers of the Central Electricity Board (CEB).

Prohibited Activities

Under the new mandate, several common uses of electricity will be strictly prohibited.

The ban covers:

• Decorative lighting and aesthetic facade illumination.
• Illuminated advertising billboards.
• Air conditioning in unoccupied commercial spaces or units being used inefficiently.
• Decorative fountains.
• Floodlighting at outdoor sports facilities when not actively in use.

Essential Exemptions

To ensure public safety and the continuity of the state, vital infrastructure remains exempt from these restrictions.

Hospitals, emergency services, and street lighting will continue to operate without change.

Furthermore, the regulations do not apply to airports, ports, water and sanitation networks, energy production sites, or radio and television broadcasting services.

National Strategy

The government has introduced these measures as part of a broader national strategy to rationalise energy use.

Authorities aim to embed a permanent culture of energy efficiency across the island through these enforced reductions in non-essential power consumption.

Source: Defi Media