The Government on Monday handed over a 40-kilowatt solar PV system established in Dhiffushi Island to State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) and an ice plant to Dhiffushi Island Council.
The Government is carrying out special projects to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and increase the use of renewable energy resources for electricity production.
One such project is the solar PV system established in the island of Dhiffushi in Kaafu Atoll.
The project was funded by Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership, Asian Development Bank and the Government of Japan. The Solar power system in Kaafu Dhiffushi will produce 190 units of electricity per day. According to Environment Ministry, this is about 12% of the daytime energy used in Dhiffushi.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the solar power system to State Electric Company Limited (STELCO), the State Minister of Environment and Energy Ministry, Abdul Matheen Mohamed said the Government aims to produce 30% of the daily peak of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2018. He said a number of projects are currently underway across the country under the effort, and the government is working on establishing such solar power systems in all the inhabited islands before 2018.
He highlighted the support provided by the Japanese Government for the development of Renewable Energy sector and other sectors of Maldives and expressed his sincere gratitude for the support and assistance provided by the people of Japan.
On Monday, the Government also handed an ice plant over to Dhiffushi Island Council.
At the handover ceremony, Ibrahim Mubassir, Dhiffushi Council member, said the establishment of an ice plant would provide tremendous benefits to fishermen in the area. He also noted that the ice plant will also ease ice supply shortages in the island.