Energy Auditing: Mauritius steps up energy efficiency efforts with new GEF-supported project

Mauritius has launched a five-year project aimed at strengthening energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of mandatory energy auditing. The project, titled “Realising Energy Savings and Climate Benefits of Implementing Mandatory Energy Auditing in the Republic of Mauritius,” was signed, yesterday, during a ceremony held at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis, in the presence of the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Patrick Gervais Assirvaden, the Resident Representative, UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Alka Bhatia, and other stakeholders. Funded through a Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant to the tune of USD 4,5 million, the project will run from March 2026 to February 2031 and will be implemented by the Energy Efficiency Management Office (EEMO) under the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities. It aims to support Government in operationalising the national energy audit scheme by addressing the technical, institutional and financial barriers that currently limit the adoption of energy efficiency measures in both the public and private sectors. In his address, Minister Assirvaden highlighted that the funding comes at a crucial moment for Mauritius’ energy strategy and will reinforce the national energy efficiency campaign launched by his Ministry in October 2025. He noted that the project will contribute to embedding energy efficiency as a key component of everyday practices in Mauritian society. He recalled that the initiative, first conceptualised in 2015, focuses on promoting energy audits and implementing recommended efficiency measures to reduce the country’s strong reliance on imported fossil fuels, which still account for more than 90% of Mauritius’ primary energy supply. Although frameworks such as the Energy Efficiency Act 2011 and the Energy Efficiency Regulations 2017 have made energy audits mandatory for large entities, several challenges remain, such as: limited institutional capacity, a shortage of certified auditors, financial constraints for businesses and gaps in technical information. To address these issues, Minister Assirvaden highlighted that a dedicated Project Management Unit will be established within the EEMO to oversee implementation. The project will strengthen institutional and policy frameworks, build technical capacity, support energy efficiency investments through pre-audits and feasibility studies, and promote awareness and outreach. Furthermore, Minister Assirvaden noted that the green, yellow and red alert system introduced by the Ministry has been widely adopted by the public, while collaboration from sectors such as hospitality has helped ease pressure on the electricity grid during peak demand periods. These collective efforts, he pointed out, enabled the recovery of nearly 20 MW within a few hours. For her part, Ms Bhatia emphasised that energy efficiency lies at the core of the project’s vision and is essential for advancing Mauritius’ sustainable development agenda. As a Small Island Developing State, she said, Mauritius remains highly dependent on imported fossil fuels, making it crucial to strengthen long-term energy resilience, reduce dependence on these fuels and lower energy costs. Also present, the Chairperson of the Energy Efficiency Committee, Prof. Khalil Elahee, stressed that time is of the essence in the current global context where ongoing conflicts continue to disrupt energy markets and supply chains.

10 March 2026

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Topics: Energy