The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy has awarded contracts to upgrade electricity grids in 19 islands throughout the Maldives.
The upgrade project is supported with USD6.2 million from the International Development Association (IDA) and USD20 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) under the Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration and Sustainable Energy (ARISE) project. The total cost of the project is USD26.2 million.
The project aims to upgrade electricity grids in three zones. Zone 1 consists of Addu City and Fuvahmulah City and Thinadhoo City. Zone 2 consists of Eydhafushi in Baa Atoll, Hinnavaru in Lhaviyani Atoll, and Kulhudhuffushi City. Zone 3 consists of Fonadhoo, Isdhoo, Kalaidhoo, Dhanbidhoo, Kunahandhoo and Hithadhoo in Laamu Atoll and Funadhoo in Shaviyani Atoll.
The contract to upgrade electricity grids in Zone 1 electricity grid was awarded to Nanjing Daji Steel Tower Manufacturing Company Limited. The contracts to upgrade the grids in Zones 2 and 3 were awarded to a joint venture between China National Technical Import and Export Corporation and Shijiazhuang Kelin Electric Company Limited.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Ibrahim said that the government plans to commence more projects to upgrade electricity grids and power systems in the atolls. He also highlighted the need to resolve the poor state of utility companies and upgrade the powerhouses in Male', Hulhumale', and the atolls.
Also at the ceremony, Apurv Gupta of AIIB said the project is important for a country with a sensitive environment like the Maldives and for the country's renewable energy initiative. He added that AIIB will always be ready to assist the Maldives in such areas.
Under the project, contractors will upgrade the existing distribution network cable, replace old transformers and expand the electricity network to newly reclaimed and newly populated areas. The ministry stated that the project to upgrade the electricity grids in the atolls is an important step towards achieving the government's initiative to increase renewable energy generation and provide electricity in an environmentally friendly manner.