Electricity more expensive by 15%: ten actions to reduce your bill in Mauritius

Since May 1, 2026, electricity rates from the Central Electricity Board (CEB) have increased by 15%, a decision ratified by the Council of Ministers in the context of a global energy crisis fueled by the war in the Middle East. While the demand for electricity continues to grow and Mauritius still remains far from its objective of 60% renewable energy in 2030, each household is called upon to become an actor in energy sobriety to protect its purchasing power and avoid cuts.

This 15% increase comes in a context of soaring international energy costs, directly linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the rise in the price of fuels used to produce electricity. The Council of Ministers, meeting on April 10, validated the revision of prices from May 1, 2026, while planning to spare certain vulnerable consumers registered in the Social Register of Mauritius, certain small domestic segments and SMEs.

128,800 consumers out of 541,127 excluded from the increase

Beneficiaries of the Social Register of Mauritius, i.e. consumers falling under tariff categories 110A, 215 and 315, as well as SMEs, are excluded from this increase. In total, 128,800 consumers out of 541,127 will be excluded from this increase.

You should know that demand for electricity in Mauritius has increased significantly over the last twenty years: installed capacity has increased from approximately 829 MW in 2005 to 955 MW in 2023, while peak consumption has increased from 353 MW to 508 MW, according to an analysis based on data from the CEB and Statistics Mauritius. In 2024, renewable energy still represented only around 18.2% of the electricity mix, well below the national target of 60% by 2030, keeping the country highly dependent on imported fossil fuels and therefore international price shocks.

Ten simple actions to consume less

Faced with this increase, small, repeated actions can make a big difference, at the level of a household or the national network. Consumption reduction guides show that a household can save 15 to 20% of electricity by avoiding waste (standbys, inefficient lighting, poor settings), and sometimes up to 60% on certain uses with suitable equipment. Here are ten concrete actions, adapted to the Mauritian context.

1. Chase away unnecessary standbys and chargers

According to local and international campaigns, idle devices and chargers left plugged in can represent up to 10% of a household's consumption. Unplugging the chargers once the phone is charged, using power strips with switches to turn off TV, Internet boxes, decoders and consoles at night reduces the bill without changing comfort.

2. Switch to LED bulbs

LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs, while lasting much longer. Replace progressi