New
Carbon Neutral Renewable Energy Scheme
in Mauritius (commercial sector)
The Mauritian government has launched a new scheme called the Carbon Neutral Renewable Energy Scheme, specifically targeting large electricity consumers in the commercial sector (shopping malls, large hotels, major companies, banks).
This scheme is different from the former Carbon Neutral Industrial Sector Scheme (for industry) and aims to encourage investment in renewables and energy efficiency.
Main Objective
Allow commercial businesses to:
- Generate their own electricity from renewable sources (solar, etc.).
- Optimize and reduce their carbon footprint by participating in the national energy transition.
- Benefit from tariff incentives (for example through Time-of-Use tariffs or other incentive mechanisms) to offset investment costs.
This scheme is part of a national strategy supporting:
- the decarbonization of major electricity consumption sectors,
- the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels,
- and the promotion of innovative energy efficiency solutions.
The exact tariff details and eligibility conditions (eligible capacities, performance requirements, required documents, etc.) are published by the Central Electricity Board (CEB) but are not all freely accessible without a form submission or subscriber access.
Broader Context: Carbon Neutral Industrial Sector Scheme
Before this commercial scheme, Mauritius had already launched a similar program for the industrial sector (Carbon Neutral Industrial Sector Renewable Energy Scheme), with the objective to:
- allow industrial operators to generate up to 150% of their annual electricity consumption from renewable sources,
- sell excess electricity to the national grid,
- reduce their electricity bill and overall carbon footprint.
This scheme, introduced under the 2022-23 budget measures, allocated up to 100 MW of renewable capacity to the industrial sector.
Why is this scheme being launched now?
The implementation of this commercial scheme is part of a broader energy transition context in Mauritius:
National Objectives
- Target a minimum share of 60% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030.
- Reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which still dominate electricity generation.
Role of Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is now recognized as strategic in order to:
- reduce net energy consumption,
- create jobs and develop local skills,
- facilitate the integration of large renewable capacities into the electricity grid.
The Minister of Energy, Patrick Assirvaden, emphasized this point during the recent education/employment conference on energy, where he highlighted the importance of training qualified professionals in these fields.
What does this scheme imply for commercial stakeholders?
Targeted Businesses
- Shopping malls,
- Hotels and tourist resorts,
- Large companies and bank headquarters,
- Other major electricity consumers.
Verifiable Sources
- Press release from the Central Electricity Board on the launch of the Carbon Neutral Renewable Energy Scheme (28 January 2026) – official CEB.mu communiqué.
- Article from Le Mauricien mentioning the new commercial scheme.
- Speech by the Minister of Energy highlighting skills and energy transition challenges.
- Background data on Mauritius’ energy transition objectives.