Fenaka Corporation Limited has begun installing solar panels in Kulhudhuffushi and Nolhivaranfaru in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
Fenaka commenced the work under the Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (POISED) project, which is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology and that the aim is to reduce the dependency on diesel-based power generation by introducing solar-diesel hybrid power generation systems, said Fenaka.
Under the current phase of the project, 3.5 Mega-Watt of solar systems catering to 30% of peak demand will be installed in all the inhabited islands of Haa Dhaalu Atoll. As part of the project, Fenaka plans to install 800 Kilo-Watt solar panels in Kulhudhuffushi, which will save 400,000 litres of diesel fuel and 194,000 US dollars of annual expenditure allocated for purchasing fuel as well as minimise the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere by 1,000 tonnes, annually.
Furthermore, the solar panels to be installed in Nolhivaranfaru are set to save 125,000 litres of diesel fuel and 61,000 US dollars of annual expenditure allocated for purchasing fuel as well as minimise the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere by 329 tonnes, annually. Upon completion of the project, it is estimated that Fenaka will be able to annually save up to 712,000 US dollars from the expenditure presently allocated for purchasing fuel and will also minimise the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere by 4 tonnes, annually.
In compliance with the Strategic Action Plan of the Government of the Maldives, Fenaka has a target to convert 70% of its power generation to renewable energy.