Electrical power in Mauritius is supplied by the Central Electricity Board (CEB). The main objective of the parastatal is to implement development schemes that will promote, coordinate and improve the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity in Mauritius.
In recent years the CEB has been experiencing restructuring and privatisation, and in light of this, the CEB now produces around 60% of the country's total power requirements and the remaining 40% being purchased from Sugar Estates. The Independent Power Producers are mainly the sugar estates exporting power to the national grid during the crop season. Two of these factories provide power by burning coal during the inter-crop season.
Substantial investment in infrastructure has guaranteed a reliable and regular supply of power, allowing the whole island of Mauritius to be serviced with electricity, which is available through overhead cables, with the distribution voltage varying according to the number of phases (1 phase=230V; 3 phases = 400V). Thermal plants are responsible for more than 80% of electrical power generation, while hydroelectric power and bagasse generates the remaining 20%.
The generation of electrical energy is also dependent on diesel engines (61.7 percent), in three power stations, all situated around Port Louis. They have a total effective capacity of 176 megawatts. A seasonal contribution of 54.2 megawatts comes from hydro-plants and 90.5 megawatts from Independent Power Producers supplement capacity.
There are three power stations situated around the capital city of Port Louis, of which 61.7 percent of electrical power generation is dependent upon diesel-powered engines. The power stations have a total effective capacity of 176 megawatts. A seasonal contribution of 54.2 megawatts is produced from hydro-plants and the Independent Power Producers supplement 90.5 megawatts capacity. Three gas turbines totalling 76 megawatts function to deal with semi-base load, peaking and emergent conditions.
