Energy Consumption in Mauritius Hotels: Exploring Savings Potential with Stromfee AI

1. Executive Summary

The tourism sector plays a crucial role in the economy of Mauritius, hosting a significant number of hotels and resorts.

The island’s tropical climate requires substantial energy expenditure, particularly for cooling.

Rising energy costs pose a growing challenge for the hospitality industry in Mauritius.

This report aims to identify the 25 largest hotels and resorts in Mauritius, estimate their energy consumption for the years 2023 and 2024 in the areas of ventilation/air conditioning, pool heating, and hot water, and assess the potential of Stromfee AI to enhance energy efficiency.

The analysis shows that energy consumption in these hotels is significant, with air conditioning accounting for the largest share.

The implementation of Stromfee AI offers considerable opportunities to reduce energy consumption and associated costs through intelligent real-time monitoring, optimization, and predictive maintenance.

It is recommended that hotel operators consider the adoption of Stromfee AI as a viable solution for improving energy efficiency.

2. Introduction: The Mauritian Hospitality Industry and the Importance of Energy Efficiency

Tourism is a fundamental pillar of the Mauritian economy. A thriving tourism sector is essential for the economic stability and growth of Mauritius.

Energy costs directly impact the profitability and competitiveness of hotels in this sector. Therefore, sustainable energy management is of utmost importance for the economic and ecological sustainability of the country.

The close link between tourism and the Mauritian economy underscores that the sustainability and efficiency of the hospitality industry are crucial for the overall economic well-being of the nation.

High energy costs can reduce profits and disadvantage Mauritian resorts in global competition.

The hotel industry, particularly in tropical climates like Mauritius, has high energy intensity. Studies show that hotels have a high Energy Use Intensity (EUI), and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for a significant portion of total energy consumption.

Tropical climates lead to higher EUI values compared to temperate zones. Given the high EUI of hotels in tropical climates and the significant contribution of HVAC to this consumption, any technology or strategy that effectively reduces HVAC energy consumption is of considerable benefit to the overall energy efficiency and cost savings of Mauritian hotels.

The climate of Mauritius requires significant cooling, which is a major energy consumer in hotels. Understanding this baseline is crucial for evaluating the impact of energy-saving solutions.

Additionally, electricity prices in Mauritius are relatively high compared to other countries. Electricity tariffs for commercial users have recently increased, for example by 28% in February 2023.

The rising electricity costs in Mauritius significantly amplify the financial benefits of reducing energy consumption through solutions like Stromfee AI.

The substantial 28% increase in electricity tariffs in 2023 directly and substantially impacts the operating costs of hotels. This creates a strong financial incentive for hotels to adopt energy-saving technologies like Stromfee AI to counteract these rising costs and maintain profitability.

Energy efficiency offers hotels numerous benefits, including reducing operating costs and increasing profitability. Sustainable practices improve a hotel’s reputation and appeal to environmentally conscious travelers. Furthermore, reducing energy consumption contributes to environmental sustainability and reduces the carbon footprint.

3. Identification of the Top 25 Largest Hotels/Resorts in Mauritius by Number of Rooms

To identify the largest hotels, various sources such as hotel directories, travel websites, and official websites of hotel groups were evaluated.

Preference was given to sources that provided specific information on the number of rooms. The information was cross-referenced to ensure accuracy and identify any discrepancies.

The Beachcomber Group appears to be the largest hotel operator in Mauritius, based on the total number of rooms in its eight hotels.

This suggests that several Beachcomber properties are likely to be in the top 25 largest individual hotels. However, it is also necessary to identify other large hotels from other groups based on the individual room numbers.

The following table lists the top 25 largest hotels and resorts in Mauritius based on the highest number of rooms found in the researched sources.

Table 1: Top 25 Largest Hotels/Resorts in Mauritius by Number of Rooms

There were some challenges and limitations in compiling this list. Not all hotels publicly disclose their exact number of rooms. The number of rooms can change due to renovations or expansions. Additionally, different sources may provide varying figures for the same hotel. The list presented here represents the best possible estimate based on the available information. It is also important to mention that the Beachcomber Group has a total of approximately 2077 rooms across its eight hotels, making it the largest hotel operator on the island 2.

4. Analysis of Energy Consumption in the Mauritian Hospitality Industry

Typical areas of energy consumption in hotels include:

Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

In tropical climates like Mauritius, HVAC systems are the largest energy consumers.

They can account for 40% to 70% of total energy costs or consumption.

Given the tropical climate of Mauritius, HVAC systems are undoubtedly the most significant energy consumers in hotels, making their optimization crucial for energy efficiency.

Snippets S132 and S145 consistently emphasize that HVAC systems are the largest energy consumers in hotels, especially in tropical regions.

👉 Any effective energy-saving strategy for Mauritian hotels must prioritize the optimization and efficient management of their ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Pool Heating

Some resorts offer heated pools as an amenity.

Energy consumption for pool heating depends on:

• Pool size
• Heating technology
• Operating hours

Hotels offering heated pools have additional energy consumption, the extent of which varies.

While pool heating is not the largest consumer, it is a significant secondary area, especially in resorts aiming for year-round comfort.

Hot Water

Hot water is essential in:

• Guest rooms (showers, baths)
• Kitchens
• Laundries

It is a significant component of overall energy use in large hotels.

The number of rooms and operational demands (kitchen, laundry) drive this high energy footprint.

Lighting, Kitchen Equipment, Laundry, etc.

These areas generally consume less energy than HVAC, but:

• Modern hotels use extensive lighting systems
• Commercial kitchens operate energy-intensive appliances
• Laundry services require a lot of washing and drying

👉 Their cumulative consumption should not be overlooked in energy management strategies.

Understanding Energy Use Intensity (EUI)

• EUI in tropical hotels can range from 143.6 kWh/m² (1 star) to 621.14 kWh/m² (4 stars) per year
• Typical range: 200–400 kWh/m²/year
• Daily energy use per room: ~30.24 kWh (annual ~11,038 kWh)

👉 The wide range of EUI values shows that even 4-star hotels can significantly improve their energy performance.

Key Influencing Factors

• Hotel size and number of rooms
• Occupancy rate (can vary seasonally)
• Amenities (e.g., spas, restaurants)
• Tropical climate = higher cooling needs

👉 These factors must be considered when developing energy strategies.

For ranking hotels in this report, the number of rooms is the main factor used.

5. Estimated Energy Consumption of the Top 25 Hotels (2023 & 2024)

Since actual data isn’t available, we use estimates:

• Average daily energy per room in tropical regions = ~30.24 kWh
• Multiplied by number of rooms and 365 days

Important:

This method uses averages. Actual consumption may vary due to:

• Hotel category (luxury vs. standard)
• Amenities (e.g., spas, multiple restaurants)
• Use of energy-saving tech

Estimated Energy Use Breakdown

• 50% HVAC
• 10% Pool Heating
• 15% Hot Water
• 25% Other (lighting, kitchen, etc.)

We assume no major changes in 2023–2024 due to lack of specific data.

📊 Table 2: Estimated Energy Consumption of the Top 25 Hotels/Resorts (2023 & 2024)