Maldives boosts renewable energy capacity by 17 MW in a year: Thoriq

Maldives has increased its renewable energy capacity by 17 MW over the past year, Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim said yesterday.

Addressing the 15th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi, Minister Thoriq highlighted that the nation’s renewable energy capacity had increased from 53 MW to 70 MW within a year, marking significant progress in its energy transition efforts.

When the current administration came to power, renewable energy accounted for only 53 MW, or about 4 percent of the country’s total energy usage, Environment Ministry earlier said.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has committed to generating 33 percent of the country’s energy from renewable sources by 2028 to reduce its reliance on fuel.

Minister Thoriq also said that 170 MW of renewable energy projects are in various stages of development.

He highlighted the urgent need for global action on climate change, particularly for low-lying nations like the Maldives. Countries around the globe must take urgent actions to limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celcius as per the Paris Agreement," he said.