January 2026 begins under the dual sign of vigilance and foresight. With an active hurricane season and post-holiday budgets to balance, this month demands resilience and anticipation. Insurance, financial management and energy autonomy: let’s take a look at these three essential pillars for getting through this first chapter of the year with peace of mind.
Solar energy
Towards the resource of the future
The principle is simple: strategically placed solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into direct current – which is then transformed into alternating current via an inverter. After consumption, surplus electricity can either be stored or exported to the grid. Clean, sustainable, inexhaustible… Solar energy is the solution of the future, especially for an island bathed in sunshine! Eugénie Sauzier-de Rosnay
The summer period is a dreaded one: in addition to the cyclones that batter the region, there are increasingly frequent blackouts year after year. According to Felix Zuckschwerdt, Managing Director of CARBONOZ Solaire Maurice, a company specializing in solar installations, these blackouts are due to a growing demand for electricity, which is running up against structural limitations in generation and distribution.
The main culprits: seasonal tourist peaks, warmer and longer seasons linked to climate change, and a growing real estate and construction sector. “When these factors coincide, they put a lot of pressure on a power system not designed for such demand patterns,” confides Felix.
While many households, driven by rising electricity prices and blackouts, are showing a growing interest in solar power, others are more reticent, and still clinging to preconceived ideas. Top of the list: the belief that solar doesn’t work on cloudy days. “In reality, the panels always generate electricity from diffuse light”, explains our contact.
Others feel that solar systems are fragile or unsuitable for cyclones. “Properly designed installations are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions,” reassures Felix. And for those who foresee insurmountable expense, it may well be worth it. According to him, a typical residential solar installation would require an investment of between Rs 200,000 and 500,000, depending on system size and battery capacity.
For completely off-grid systems, the bill is likely to be slightly higher, not least because of the need for greater battery storage and inverter-panel sizing. However, such an investment pays off fairly quickly. “Most households actually break even within 6 to 8 years,” he stresses. The road to energy independence really is paved with benefits, not least because it would prevent tons of CO2 !
According to Felix, the average household could reduce its electricity bill by 60-90%, depending on consumption habits and system configuration. As for off-grid households, no more electricity bills! “Savings can be significantly increased by shifting electricity use to daytime hours, such as the use of washing machines or water pumps,” he says. As for households using air conditioning, good news! “We often notice higher absolute savings in this case, as cooling demand aligns well with solar production,” he continues.
The expert’s recommendation, for a tropical island like Mauritius: a hybrid system, combining solar panels and battery storage, allowing energy to be stored for outdoor use. “These installations are solid and durable: modern solar panels generally last 25 to 30 years, inverters 10 to 15 years and modern lithium iron phosphate batteries 10 to 20 years, depending on use and technology,” he says.
Bonus: solar systems require very little maintenance! “Panels generally need to be cleaned one to three times a year to remove dust, salt and bird droppings. An annual technical inspection is usually sufficient,” says Felix. With cyclones already beginning to appear, hybrid and off-grid solar systems, with battery storage, enable households, if well designed, to continue powering essential appliances, even if the grid is down for an extended period.
In the wake of Mauritius’ dream of becoming a clean, low-carbon island, a number of banks are offering loans to encourage households to make the energy transition, with ultra-preferential interest rates. According to the Economic Development Board (EDB), Mauritius only contributes 0.01% to global greenhouse gas emissions, but these have risen slightly over the last ten years. By 2022, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels would even have reached 4.28 million tonnes… A drop, perhaps, in the energy ocean… but a drop that carries a lot of weight!
January, the month of foresight
Between cyclones, torrential rain and floods, January begins, as always, under the sign of vigilance. However, many households neglect certain preventive aspects, such as their insurance – essential protection against the bad weather that marks the first chapter of each new year. Kiran Ancharaz, Senior Executive Officer of SICOM General Insurance, gives us some insight. Eugénie Sauzier-de Rosnay
With the cyclone season well underway, what are the most important things Mauritians should be aware of when it comes to their home insurance cover?
First of all, they need to check that their home insurance is appropriate, and that it adequately covers cyclone and other weather-related damage. It’s important to pay attention to indemnity ceilings, deductibles and exclusions, as well as to the correct declaration of valuables, which sometimes require specific coverage. Among the most common errors are under-insurance (or conversely, over-insurance, which unnecessarily increases the premium), failure to read the terms and conditions of the contract, lack of inventory of goods, or late reporting of claims after a cyclone. Our advice is simple: take the time before the hurricane season to talk to your insurer to check and adjust your coverage if necessary, and avoid any nasty surprises in the event of a claim.
How can you protect your home and possessions and minimize the risk of damage?
Families are encouraged to secure the outside of their homes by storing or securing items that could be blown away, checking the condition of roofs, shutters and gutters, and pruning nearby trees. Indoors, it’s advisable to protect valuable possessions from water, unplug electrical appliances and keep an inventory with photos. It’s also important to follow the instructions issued by the authorities, and avoid unnecessary travel during alert periods. These simple gestures help reduce the risk of disaster and facilitate a quicker return to normal after a cyclone.
If, despite everything, a claim does occur, what immediate steps should you take?
The first priority is to ensure personal safety and follow the instructions of the authorities. Once the danger has been averted, it is advisable to limit any further damage by protecting openings, for example, even if only temporarily, and/or by sheltering property. Permanent repairs should not be undertaken immediately. It is essential to declare the loss to the insurer as soon as possible, in accordance with the procedures laid down in the contract. Don’t forget to take photos or videos of the damage, keep the damaged goods in a safe place and gather all relevant documents (invoices, inventory, contract, etc.), as this will make it much easier to assess the loss. These simple reflexes will speed up the processing of the claim and the compensation process, while avoiding delays or misunderstandings when the insurance company takes over.
Budget 2026
The keys to financial serenity
Between organized festivities, gifts and small pleasures, the 13e month often melts away like snow in the sun at the end of the year. Lack of budgetary planning or disorganized spending: for some people, the beginning of the year is often marked by over-indebtedness. However, according to Bernard Jackson, Head of Retail at Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), a few simple gestures could prevent this from happening. Eugénie Sauzier-de Rosnay
The last days of the year are a time to celebrate: spend lavishly, go all out, have a good time… It’s the festive period par excellence when you live in the moment, even if you have to think about it later! And that aftermath can be particularly bitter, especially in January, known as the critical month for overindebtedness – but also particularly prone to the unexpected!
The most common mistake, according to Bernard, is the absence of a provisional budget for festive expenses, which has a significant impact on back-to-school spending. The solution? “We advise customers to anticipate the festive season by drawing up a dedicated budget as early as October. For example, if you’re planning to spend Rs 20,000 on the holidays, start saving Rs 5,000 a month in September or October, which you can top up with part of your 13th month,” he says. A simple solution that avoids excessive credit or running out of money for essential expenses.
With the start of the year also marked by the vagaries of the weather (cyclones, floods, torrential rains…), he also believes it is vital to set up an emergency fund. “This should normally cover 3 to 6 months of essential expenses (rent, food, health, etc.),” Bernard points out. To achieve this, you could, for example, set aside 10% of your monthly income in a separate savings account. “If your monthly expenses are Rs 15,000, your emergency fund target is between Rs 45,000 and Rs 90,000. Start by putting in Rs 1,500 per month and increase this amount by Rs 500 annually,” he says. Not to mention the interest payable every six months!
And to regain control of your budget at the start of the year, Bernard has three tips: firstly, draw up a complete list of monthly expenses to identify potential sources of savings and/or eliminate superfluous ones; secondly, draw up a shopping list to avoid impulse spending; lastly, set yourself specific, measurable and achievable objectives in relation to financial expenses and savings, for example by limiting your borrowing.
Finally, one of Bernard’s most important recommendations is to communicate with your banker. “A banker is an advisor and a partner, not a judge,” he asserts. A true financial ally, your banker can help you plan a realistic budget by proposing financial solutions adapted to different profiles… Good reflexes promise to make all the difference!
2026, the Year of Resilience…
January 2026 opens under the twin signs of vigilance and foresight. Between an active cyclonic season and post-festive budgets to rebalance, this month demands resilience and anticipation. Insurance, financial management, energy autonomy… A look back at these three essential pillars for navigating this first chapter of the year with serenity.
Solar Energy
Towards the Resource of the Future
The principle is simple: strategically positioned solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into direct current-then transformed into alternating current via an inverter. After consumption, surplus electricity can either be stored or exported to the grid. Clean, sustainable, inexhaustible… Solar energy is the solution of the future, especially for a sun-drenched island!
The summer period is formidable: besides the impressive cyclones, we notice, year after year, increasingly frequent power cuts. According to Felix Zuckschwerdt, Managing Director of CARBONOZ Solaire Maurice, a company specialising in solar installations, these outages are explained by rapidly growing electricity demand combined with structural limits in generation and distribution. The main culprits: seasonal tourism peaks, hotter and longer warm seasons linked to climate change, and a growing real estate and construction sector. When these factors coincide, they place significant strain on an electricity system not designed for such demand patterns,’ Felix confides.
Whilst many households, driven by rising electricity prices and power cuts, show growing interest in solar energy, others still cling to misconceptions. Top of the list: the belief that solar does not work on cloudy days. In reality, panels still generate electricity from diffused sunlight,’ our interlocutor specifies. Others feel that solar systems are fragile or unsuitable for cyclones. Properly engineered installations are designed to withstand extreme weather’.
For those who envision insurmountable expenses, the game would nonetheless be worth the candle. According to Felix, a typical residential solar installation requires an investment between Rs 200,000 and 500,000, depending on system size and battery capacity. For fully off-grid systems, the bill can be slightly steeper, mainly due to larger battery storage. However, such an investment bears fruit fairly quickly. ‘Most households reach break-even within 6 to 8 years’.
Switching to solar would allow an average household to reduce its electricity bill by 60-90%, depending on consumption habits and system configuration. As for off-grid households, no more electricity bills! Savings can be significantly increased by shifting electricity usage to daylight hours, such as running washing machines or water pumps during the day’. Households using air conditioning often achieve higher absolute savings, as cooling demand aligns well with solar production.
The expert’s recommendation for a tropical island like Mauritius: a hybrid system combining solar panels with battery storage. These installations are robust and sustainable: modern solar panels typically last 25 to 30 years, inverters 10 to 15 years, and modern lithium iron phosphate batteries 10 to 20 years, depending on usage and technology,’ Felix says.
The bonus: solar installations require very little maintenance! Panels usually need cleaning one to three times per year to remove dust, salt, and bird droppings. An annual technical inspection is generally sufficient’. As the cyclonic season is already full on, properly engineered hybrid and off-grid solar systems with battery storage allow households to continue powering essential appliances, even if the grid is down for extended periods.
In the wake of Mauritius’s dream of becoming a clean and decarbonised island, many banks offer loans to encourage household energy transition, with ultra-preferential interest rates. For whilst, according to the Economic Development Board (EDB), the country contributes only 0.01% to global greenhouse gas emissions, these have experienced a slight increase over the past ten years. In 2022, fossil CO₂ emissions even reached 4.28 million tonnes… A drop, perhaps, in the energy ocean… but a drop that weighs awfully heavy!
January, the month for precaution
Between cyclones, torrential rains and flooding, January begins under the sign of vigilance. Yet many households sometimes neglect certain preventive aspects, such as their insurance-protection that is nevertheless essential for weathering the storms that mark the first chapter of each new year. Kiran Ancharaz, Senior Executive Officer at SICOM General Insurance, helps us see things more clearly.
With the cyclone season well under way, what are the essential points that Mauritians should check regarding their home insurance cover?
First, they need to verify that their home insurance adequately covers damage related to cyclones and other severe weather. It is important to pay attention to compensation limits, excesses and exclusions, as well as the correct declaration of valuable items, which sometimes require specific cover. Common mistakes include under-insurance (or over-insurance, which unnecessarily increases the premium), failing to read the contract terms, the absence of an inventory of possessions, or late declaration of claims. Our advice is simple: take the time, before the cyclone season, to talk with your insurer to verify and, if necessary, adjust your cover and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
How can you properly protect your home and minimize the risk of damage?
Families are encouraged to secure the exterior by putting away or fastening objects that could be carried off by the wind, checking the roof, shutters and gutters, and pruning nearby trees. Indoors, put valuables out of water’s reach, unplug electrical appliances and keep an inventory with photographs. It is also important to follow the authorities’ instructions and avoid unnecessary travel during alert periods.
If damage does occur, what are the immediate steps to take?
The absolute priority is to ensure people’s safety and follow the authorities’ instructions. Once the danger has passed, limit any worsening of the damage by temporarily protecting openings and putting possessions to safety. Do not undertake definitive repairs immediately. Report the claim to the insurer as soon as possible, take photos or videos of the damage, keep damaged items and gather useful documents (invoices, inventory, contract). These simple reflexes help speed up processing and compensation, whilst avoiding delays or misunderstandings.
Budget 2026
The Keys to Financial Serenity
Between organised festivities, gifts and small pleasures, the 13th month often melts away like snow in the sun at year’s end. Lack of budget planning or disorganised spending-for some, the start of the year is marked by over-indebtedness. Yet, according to Bernard Jackson, Head of Retail at Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), a few simple gestures could avoid this situation.
When the last days of the year ring out, it is party time: we spend without counting, pull out all the stops, live in the moment-even if it means dealing with the consequences later! And this ‘later’ can prove particularly bitter, especially in January, known as the critical month for over-indebtedness and unexpected events.
The most common mistake, according to Bernard, is the absence of a budget forecast for festive spending. The solution? We advise customers to anticipate the festivities by establishing a dedicated budget from October. For example, if you plan to spend Rs 20,000 on the holidays, start saving Rs 5,000 per month from September or October, which can be supplemented by part of the 13th month.’ This simple approach avoids excessive credit or running short for essential expenses.
With climatic uncertainties (cyclones, floods, torrential rains…), building an emergency fund is essential. It should normally cover 3 to 6 months of essential expenses,’ Bernard emphasises. To achieve this, save 10% of monthly income in a separate account: ‘If your monthly expenses are Rs 15,000, your emergency fund target sits between Rs 45,000 and Rs 90,000. Start by setting aside Rs 1,500 per month and increase this amount by Rs 500 annually.’
To regain budget control, Bernard offers a few tips: establish a complete list of monthly expenses to identify savings; create shopping lists to avoid impulsive spending; and set specific, achievable financial goals. Finally, communicate with your banker. One must absolutely not wait for a crisis before speaking to them: a banker is an adviser and a partner, not a judge,’ he affirms. Simple reflexes that promise to make all the difference!