No Electricity Price Hike Planned, Says CEB Spokesperson

Mauritians worried about rising electricity bills can breathe a little easier — for now. The Central Electricity Board (CEB), the state-owned utility responsible for generating and distributing electricity across Mauritius, has confirmed that no tariff increase is currently planned. Thierry Ramasawmy, the CEB's communications officer, made the clarification to ION News on Thursday, 1 October, following widespread concern triggered by a CEB press release issued the day before. **What sparked the alarm?** On Wednesday, the CEB issued a communiqué highlighting the sharp rise in global heavy fuel oil (HFO) prices — the primary fuel used to run its power generation turbines — and raised the issue of energy security in Mauritius. Many readers interpreted this as a warning sign that an electricity price increase was imminent. Ramasawmy moved quickly to dispel that interpretation. "There is, at this time, no increase in CEB tariffs," he stated clearly. **How much fuel does Mauritius have in stock?** According to Ramasawmy, Mauritius currently holds a reserve of **47,472 metric tonnes of heavy fuel oil**, which provides between **52 and 59 days of autonomous electricity generation** from HFO-powered plants. A further shipment of **26,000 tonnes** is scheduled to arrive on **20 October**, which will replenish supplies considerably. This stock level suggests there is no immediate energy emergency, even as global fuel prices remain volatile. **A plea to cut consumption** While ruling out a price hike, Ramasawmy did urge the public to use electricity responsibly. "We are asking people not to waste electricity," he said. "The more you consume, the more the CEB has to purchase additional fuel oil, which is becoming increasingly expensive." The message is a practical one: even without a formal tariff increase, unchecked consumption puts pressure on the CEB's import costs — costs that could eventually feed into future pricing decisions. **What this means for residents and businesses** For households and businesses, the immediate takeaway is clear: electricity bills are not going up in the near term. However, the CEB's public communication signals that the global energy market is placing real financial strain on Mauritius's power sector. Heavy fuel oil is imported, meaning the island is exposed to international commodity price swings and shipping costs. With the next cargo arriving on 20 October, supply appears secure through at least November — but the broader question of long-term energy costs and Mauritius's dependence on fossil fuels for power generation remains open. The CEB supplies electricity to virtually all of Mauritius, and any change in its tariffs affects every household, hotel, factory, and small business on the island. Source: ION News