Renewable Energy Systems To Be Installed in Four Atolls

A Chinese company has been awarded the contract to install renewable energy hybrid electricity systems in four atolls.

Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, has announced that Maldives has accumulated a sufficient amount of funds, through aid, to be able to create renewable energy generation stations with a capacity of 80MW. This comment was made at a ceremony for the awarding of a contract to install renewable energy systems in four atolls.

China's National Heavy Machinery Corporation and the Sinosa Consortium have been awarded the contract to install renewable energy hybrid electricity systems in 30 islands in Kaafu Atoll, Alifu Alifu Atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll and Vaavu Atoll.

The Environment Ministry signed the agreement with the company yesterday. This is part of the Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development Project. To complete this, the government plans to spend USD 16 million from funding provided by the ADB and EIB.

The agreement was signed by Minister Thoriq and the Chairman of CMIC’s Sinosa Consortium, Xiao Ping. The project will install 5.88 MW of solar PV and 4.45 MW of solar battery energy storage systems in rural areas. This project is expected to save USD 2.4 million in fuel expenditure annually.

The Environment Ministry said the project will be completed within six years and the reduction in oil burning will reduce 65,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents.

The government has set a goal of generating 33% of the nation’s power through renewable energy. Currently, there is a capacity of 53MW of renewable energy generation annually. Minister Thoriq has given an ambitious timeline of 2-3 years to achieve the difference.