‘Lighting the way ahead: History of Electricity in Mauritius, 1880-2015’: Let there be light!

Since the 1880s and until today, electricity has played a major role in our lives as well as in our economic and social development. Launched on September 1, the exceptional book written by Professor Marc Serge Riviere conveys to the reader the main trends and major turning-points in the history of electricity in Mauritius. 

A must read. The book ‘Lighting the way ahead: History of Electricity in Mauritius, 1880-2015’ will take you back into history when Mauritius first saw the light – that is when electricity was first implemented in the island. Written by Professor Marc Serge Riviere, who has written 35 books to date, the book is a first in Mauritius. 

Filled with exceptional photos dating back to 1906 and extending over 100 years, the book conveys to the reader the main trends and the major turning-points in the history of a complex and fast-developing organisation (namely the Central Electricity Board) in serving the country’s needs through six challenging decades. 

The unique book also pays tribute to the pioneers of electricity in Mauritius. “This history book is first of all a book on human history, as it sheds light on the courage, perseverance and engagement of the workers. Electricity has started thanks to pioneers such as the Atchia Brothers, Sylvio Fanucci, Pierre Adam as well as the Fatehmamode and Cader families in Rodrigues. Without them, we would take more years to have seen the birth of the Central Electricity Board in 1952,” said the Professor in his speech during the launching ceremony. Indeed the book is dedicated to all who have toiled for, and collaborated with, the Central Electricity Board during the past sixty-three years (1952-2015). 

However the book takes us way back before the advent of the CEB. The first chapter of the book, ‘The Dawn of Electrification in Mauritius, (1880s-1952), narrates how the town of Curepipe was provided with electricity before the capital, Port Louis. Indeed Curepipe was provided with electricity from gas as early as 1865 and the streets were lit up on 28 December 1881. The chapter also underlines the contribution of the Mallac Brothers (Adrien and Louis) who set up a small plant, driven by steam, to generate energy on a plot of land. The surprising information which the chapter reveals is that the streets of Curepipe and Port Louis were switched on to electricity long before London, which depended on gas lamps until well into the twentieth century. 

Throughout the book you will find anecdotal events such as Carol and Alix cyclones, period of droughts in Mauritius, the inauguration of Champagne, economic crisis, among others. It also highlights the vision and construction of various major stations, St Louis, Fort Georges, Champagne, Ferney and so on. Tribute is also paid to the main personalities and pillars of the CEB: Messrs Borland; Bott; Ricket; Maingard de la ville-es-Offrans; Desmarais; Labat; Burrenchobay; Astruc; Hebrard and many others. In his speech, the author of the book, Marc Serge Riviere, shared the hope that the many generations of students and researchers will find the book useful. “The young generations of today must know that if they have a certain material comfort and modern technology, this has been accomplished through the efforts, initiatives and dedication of past generations,” he said. 

About Marc Serge Riviere

Born in Souillac, Marc Serge Riviere is an M.A graduate of the Aberdeen University (Scotland, 1970). He also has a postgraduate M.A from McMaster University (Canada, 1971), a PhD from Glasgow University (Scotland, 1980) and a Dip.Ed from Monash University (Australia, 1982). From 1970 to 2008, he lectured on French and Francophone Literature and Cultural Studies in Scotland, Canada, Australia, France, Ireland and Mauritius (as visiting Professor at UoM from 2003-2005). On his retirement in 2008, he was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus of Limerick University, Ireland. He was decorated by the French Government as Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Academiques in 2005. 

Professor Riviere has published 35 books in French and English and over 70 refereed articles. His latest works were: No Man is an Island: The Irish Presence in Isle de France/Mauritius (1715-2007) (E.O.I., 2008) and Les Codes Noirs (Osman Publishing, 2009). He now resides in Mauritius and lectures at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute and the Open University of Mauritius.