Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology has contracted China-based INSTEC Import and Export Company Limited to develop solar-powered ice plants on four islands in the country.
The ice plants are being constructed in Landhoo in Noonu Atoll and Buruni, Madifushi, and Vilufushi in Thaa Atoll, under the project. As such, a 15-tonne ice plant and 30-tonne storage capacity will be established in Landhoo, Madifushi, and Vilufushi and a five-tonne ice plant and 15-tonne storage will be established in Buruni. The initiative is part of the government's efforts to achieve the carbon Net-Zero 2023 goal.
The project was assigned to be completed within eight months at a cost of USD1.7 million. The development of the ice plants is being carried out to provide easy access to the services needed by fishermen from any region in the Maldives. Ice plants have been established in many islands during the past four years.
The government said it aims to make the services established in the Maldives as environmentally friendly as possible.