Vice President Faisal Naseem has stressed the need to adopt new technologies to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. He made the remarks while speaking at the function held to mark the 73rd anniversary of initiating electricity as a utility service in the Maldives.
At the ceremony, Vice President Naseem stated that electricity had become essential to daily life. He, however, noted the instabilities facing international markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Furthermore, Vice President Naseem praised the State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) for investing in renewable energy sources and adapting to changes in global fuel prices. Speaking about the numerous renewable energy projects of STELCO, he emphasised the importance of expanding these efforts. He also spoke about the history of electricity services in the country and praised STELCO for carrying out numerous projects through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme that have positively contributed to society.
Speaking on the efforts by the administration for the sector's development, the vice president said that the quality of the electricity service provided had been one of the major concerns of the people when the administration took office in 2018. He said that the administration addressed the concerns through the combined efforts of Fenaka Corporation Limited and STELCO. The administration has built over 100 powerhouses and dispatched over 300 generator sets to islands.
Electricity services were first established in the Maldives on December 20, 1949. The state-run service had evolved culminating in the formation of STELCO in 1997.