Minister of Environment Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan has revealed 7.7% of power generated in Maldives during the peak hours are currently generated from renewable energy resources.
Speaking at a ceremony to launch Biennial Update Report under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Minister Hussain Rasheed said Maldives aims to reduce the dependency on diesel in producing electricity and move towards more renewable energy sources. He said diesel must not be depended upon to produce energy as only 40% of the burnt diesel is generated as energy.
The Biennial Update Report must be published every two years and the report highlights the harmful gases released by Maldives to the atmosphere. The report also includes measures taken by the administration to lessen the harmful gases exhausted. Additionally, other environmental challenges the country face, and the counteractive measures taken are also included in the report.
The environment minister said Maldives has so far had a successful journey in its move towards renewable energy. The minister revealed Maldives only generated 11 megawatts of power from renewable sources between 2010 to 2018, while the number has increased to 21.5 megawatts with an additional 6.5 megawatts by the government and 4.5 megawatts from private parties. He remarked that 7.7% of energy produced during peak hours are currently renewable energy.
The administration has announced a project to generate an additional 21 megawatt of energy as part of expanding renewable energy produced in Maldives. The environment minister noted the expansion will increase power generation from renewable sources by 20% in 2023, compared to 2018.
The power consumption in Male' City currently exceeds 65 megawatts and the amount increases annually by 11%. According to the Biennial Update Report published, Maldives generated 1.5 million tonnes of diesel exhaust by 2015 which is a 25% increase from 2011.