Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology has handed over the project to develop 6.35MW solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid systems and 7.66MW/h battery energy storage systems in 26 islands in Raa Atoll and Baa Atoll.
At the agreement signing ceremony, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna said efforts to develop solar power systems in the atolls have resulted in two islands being able to switch off their power generators during midday. She said that the ongoing and upcoming projects will allow nine more islands to switch off their generators during peak hours.
Additionally, Minister Shauna said a wind energy power system is being tested in Manadhoo, Noonu Atoll, and that these efforts aim to reduce the expenditure on energy subsidies. She said that various power generation systems are being tested and that the development of power generation will greatly reduce expenditure, allowing the government to free up funding for other projects.
Also at the ceremony, Managing Director of Fenaka Ahmed Saeed Mohamed addressed concerns that the projects to develop renewable energy has not alleviated the burden on the budget of local councils. He said that these efforts reduce the expenditure on fuel, which has a positive impact on the state’s budget, and that local councils and households can reduce their energy costs by installing solar panels through the Home Solar Programme.
As such, Managing Director Saeed said that 1MW of electricity is currently being produced from solar panels installed on households, councils, and mosques. He said the Home Solar Programme reduces the cost of energy for the individual and invited councils and households to participate.