The Maldives government on Monday assured that the state will not charge any fees from solar power producers.
It has been reported in by some media that the government is preparing to charge certain fees from solar energy producers and, subsequently opened for suggestions from State Electric Company (STELCO) and Fenaka Corporation.
However, a senior official of the Energy Authority stated that the government is compiling regulations to purchase excess electricity produced via solar energy. The official assured that the state will not take fees from any kind of renewable energy.
“Instead, the government works to promote production of environment friendly energy.”
Hence, the Maldives has set the goal to produce 30 percent of daytime energy via renewable sources by the end of 2018. Some ventures undertaken to achieve this goal include:
Commencing the establishment of 2.5 Megawatt solar energy systems in the linked islands of Addu City as well as Baa atoll Goidhoo island, Lhaviyani atoll Kurendhoo island, Thaa atoll Burunee island and Gaafu Alife atoll Villigili island
Opening bids to establish solar energy systems in the islands of Haa Alif and Haa Dhaal atolls
Commencing research to establish solar energy systems in the atolls of Shaviyani, Noonu, Lhaviyani, Kaafu, Alif Alif, Alif Dhaal, Vaavu, Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaal
Establishment of a 4.5 Megawatt solar energy system in Kaafu atoll Dhiffushi island which powers an ice plant that produces 1.9 tonnes of ice daily
Distribution of over 210,000 low fuel LED lights to citizens and institutions.
Commencing research into establishing windmills in Lhaviyani atoll Naifairu island and Kaafu atoll Himmafushi island
Commencing research to convert Kaafu atoll Huraa island into a 100 percent renewable energy island
More activities are planned for this year which include:
Commencing project to establish solar energy systems in the atolls of Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal, Shaviyani, Noonu, Lhaviyani, Kaafu, Alif Alif, Alif Dhaal, Vaavu, Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaal
Complete researches and open bids to establish solar energy systems in the atolls of Raa, Baa, Meemu, Faafu, Dhaal, Thaa and Laamu
Distribution of an additional 210,000 low fuel LED lights to citizens
Commencing project to establish windmills in Lhaviyani atoll Naifairu island and Kaafu atoll Himmafushi island
Collecting ground data from Haa Alif atoll Hoarafushi island and Kaafu atoll Thulusdhoo island for the Wind Map of the Maldives
Furthermore, the Energy Authority official noted that almost 20 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country has to be spent on buying oil. Hence, it leads to higher government expenditure and several drawbacks to the environment.
“Everything is being done to reduce the usage of diesel,” said the official.
According to the Maldives National Energy Policy and Strategy implemented in 2015, the government has set the goal of reducing release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere by 10 percent before 2030. Greater focus is also placed on more populous areas to increase the use of renewable energy.
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