The government of Mauritius has announced a revised target to generate 60% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035, pushing back the original deadline of 2030. Energy Minister Patrick Assirvaden defended the new target, stating that it prioritizes achievable outcomes over unrealistic pledges. He revealed that the share of renewables in the nation's power output had decreased from 21% to 17% between 2014 and 2024.
The minister made the announcement during the inauguration of a 4.2-megawatt solar farm in Arsenal, developed by Innodis in partnership with GreenYellow. The solar farm is expected to generate 6.5 million kilowatt-hours annually and will expand to an ultimate capacity of 8.2 megawatts. This will provide power equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 4,500 Mauritian households.
As of October 15, 2026, Mauritius possessed nearly 395 megawatts of total renewable capacity, including almost 198 megawatts of solar power. Several green energy developments are scheduled to come online shortly, which will help rebuild momentum. These include ten projects under the CNIS Programme, totaling nearly 54 megawatts, which are at an advanced stage of construction and scheduled for commissioning by December.
Additional capacity boosts are expected before the end of the year, including the Le Val Solar Power Station, a 15-megawatt facility that is currently 98% complete and expected to go live in November. Two commercial projects, a 5.2-megawatt installation by Mauritius Freeport Development and a 4-megawatt installation by CMT, are also due to connect to the grid before the end of the year.
The Ministry is also designing several new projects, including a 15-megawatt floating solar scheme at Henrietta, a 15-to-20-megawatt wind farm, and expects to install 20 megawatts of additional battery capacity by the end of the year to stabilize the national grid. Authorities are evaluating tenders for ten 10-megawatt projects and three 40-megawatt developments.
Minister Assirvaden emphasized that energy transition must not remain exclusive to affluent citizens. Under the Solar PV Grant, eligible households earning up to Rs 150,000 per month can receive support of up to Rs 75,000. More than 2,200 home solar kits have been installed to date through initiatives such as the Home Solar Project.
The Ministry is re-launching an energy efficiency campaign featuring an alert system to warn the public during times of maximum strain. Electric vehicle owners are being encouraged to utilize the Time of Use tariff scheme, offering cheaper rates for charging after 9:00 pm. The campaign aims to reduce peak demand, which spikes heavily between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm in summer.
Key points
- Mauritius has delayed its 60% renewable energy target to 2035.
- The country has nearly 395 megawatts of total renewable capacity.
- Several new green energy projects are scheduled to come online before the end of the year.
