Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, has announced that the nation will require an additional 450 megawatts of power to support President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's ambitious objective of increasing the country's renewable energy generation rate to 33%. During an interview with PSM News whilst visiting Ungoofaaru, Raa Atoll, with President Dr Muizzu, Minister Ibrahim elaborated on the administration's efforts to enhance renewable energy generation capacity.
Minister Ibrahim highlighted Raa Atoll as a case in point, observing that renewable energy projects are progressing on all but three of the atoll's islands. These initiatives include the installation of hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar panels, battery systems, and energy management systems, according to him. In accordance with President Dr Muizzu's pledge, Minister Ibrahim affirmed that efforts are underway to transition all energy production in Vaadhoo to renewable energy sources.
Minister Ibrahim further elaborated on the administration's dedication to achieving the goal of generating 33% of the nation's energy from renewable sources within its five-year term, as pledged by President Dr Muizzu. Upon taking office in November 2023, President Dr Muizzu inherited a renewable energy generation capacity of 53 MW. This capacity has since been augmented to 70 MW during the administration's first year, Minister Ibrahim stated.
Studies indicate that the government must establish an additional 450 MW of energy generation capacity from renewable sources to achieve the goal of ensuring that 33% of energy production comes from renewable sources by November 2028, Minister Ibrahim added. He confirmed that the administration is diligently working towards this objective.
"With God's will, we will be able to begin enhancing the use of renewable energy sources over the coming year," Minister Ibrahim remarked.
The minister also revealed that projects are currently in progress nationwide, aiming to establish 170 MW of renewable energy production. The administration also plans to launch projects to generate an additional 50 MW of renewable energy production before the year concludes, he added.
President Dr Muizzu unveiled the ambitious plan to ensure that 33% of the country's energy is generated from renewable sources by 2024 during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in December 2023.