Friday
18th Oct 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Signing of agreement with China’s TBEA Group to conduct a study on connecting electricity between Malé and Thilafushi.
STELCO has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s TBEA Group Company Ltd to conduct a comprehensive study on establishing an electricity connection from Malé City to Thilafushi, a critical step in strengthening the Maldives' energy infrastructure.
The agreement was signed by STELCO’s Managing Director Hussain Fahmy and TBEA Vice-President Zhang Hong Zhong. Announcing the partnership, STELCO highlighted the strategic importance of the project, which will link the Malé area, including Villimalé and Gulhifalhu, with Thilafushi through a robust power network.
Under the MoU, the following key tasks will be undertaken:
- The creation of an interconnected power grid covering Malé, Villimalé, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi.
- The establishment of a 150 MW dual-fuel power plant, capable of operating on both oil and gas, in Thilafushi.
- Research into sustainable solutions to meet the growing energy demands of the region.
STELCO’s MD Fahmy expressed his appreciation to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for his support and vision, acknowledging his leadership as essential to driving energy sector innovations in the Maldives. “This agreement is a pivotal step in enhancing the country’s energy infrastructure, ensuring sustainable growth to meet the rising energy demands,” Fahmy tweeted.
In an official statement to Dhiyares, a STELCO media officer emphasized that the TBEA Group is a major player in the global energy sector, bringing considerable expertise to this landmark project. The dual-fuel power plants in Thilafushi, designed as part of this initiative, will bolster energy resilience in the region by allowing the use of both oil and gas to power the engines, offering flexibility in energy production.
The first phase of the project will focus on research and feasibility studies, marking the beginning of an ambitious effort to modernize and expand the Maldives' energy capabilities. With Thilafushi rapidly evolving as an industrial hub, this energy project will play a crucial role in sustaining its growth.