Ministry of Environment has revealed all islands in Haa Alifu Atoll have begun utilising renewable energy sources.
The islands are using renewable energy sources to produce electricity under the biggest ever energy project, Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (POISED). The project was launched in 2016 by the government and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Under the project in Haa Alifu Atoll, 2.3 megawatt solar panels were installed aiming to generate 30% of energy via renewable energy sources. Under the project, the government and ADB are working to transform the existing energy grids on the archipelago into a hybrid renewable energy system.
The POISED project will install energy management and control systems in order to significantly reduce the need for diesel to generate electricity. The project includes installing equipment for solar diesel hybrid grids in about 160 islands.
According to the environment ministry, the project will replace inefficient diesel-based power generation grids in the islands with hybrid systems of both renewable energy and diesel in order to reduce the cost of electricity and the emissions created, as well as lower the subsidy burden on the state budget. Following the use of renewable energy in Haa Alifu Atoll, Fenaka Corporation Limited revealed 3.1 litres of diesel used for energy production have been saved so far.
According to the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) of the administration, electricity electricity production from renewable energy will increase by 20% when compared to 2018.