State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has started installing solar panels on its powerhouses as part of the efforts to establish renewable energy sources.
STELCO has been conducting projects for the government's imitative to reduce the country's reliance on fuel imports and minimise the damage to the environment. As such, the company has been installing solar panels in Male' City and in the atolls. It is currently providing electricity to 35 islands and is now installing solar panels on the powerhouses in these islands.
STELCO has recently installed solar panels in Feridhoo and Bodufolhudhoo in AlifuAlifu Atoll. The solar panels in Feridhoo were installed with the help of the island council. Speaking to PSM News, President of Feridhoo Island Council Ismail Shah said that the project is expected to greatly benefit the island and its 800 residents.
Additionally, Bodufolhudhoo Island Council stated that the solar panels installed on the island's powerhouse will greatly reduce the cost of electricity generation but that the project has not yet directly benefited the residents yet. The council also stated that most residents are currently not aware of STELCO's project to install solar panels on households.
Currently, there are no adequate systems to store electricity, and the power generated by solar energy systems are directly connected to power grids. In 2021, the Maldives Energy Act was established to cover enhancing energy in order to establish energy services that are sustainable and safe for the environment. It also stipulates the safe, secure and suitable storage and maintenance of energy systems.
Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna has stated the current administration has installed solar energy systems to expand electricity generation to 36MW and that the Maldives will be generating 68MW of solar power by the end of the current term.