Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) has stated that it aims to eliminate the use of single-use plastics and produce water using environmentally friendly methods.
Speaking to PSM News, Managing Director Hassan Shah said that MWSC has already begun implementing environmentally friendly methods for producing water. As such, he highlighted the recent agreement signed with Hitachi Zosen Corporation of Japan and Renewable Energy Maldives (REM) to establish a decarbonised seawater desalination system in Gulhifalhu, Kaafu Atoll.
The agreement includes the installation and operation of a renewable energy water generation system in Gulhifalhu, Kaafu Atoll. The project also includes the installation of a reverse osmosis (RO) plant with a capacity of producing 500cbm of water per day, a 500kW solar PV system, and a 4,501kW per hour battery energy storage system.
Additionally, Managing Director Shah said that USD26 million of diesel fuel are burned to produce water each year and that the implementation of renewable alternatives will significantly decrease expenditure. He also noted that MWSC has stopped producing 300ml plastic water bottles and will soon stop the production of 500ml plastic water bottles. He assured that the plastic water bottles will be phased out in a way that does not impact businesses and individuals. He also said that MWSC is preparing to introduce two-litre bottles.
MWSC produces 1,500ml and five-litre bottles at the Hulhumale’ bottling factory. The bottling factories in Male’ City and Hulhumale’ will be transferred to Gulhifalhu upon completion of the decarbonised seawater desalination system.