The Maldives government has contracted a Chinese renewable energy solutions provider to develop solar power systems in all residential islands of Raa and Baa atolls.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology signed with Sinosoar-Ying Li Consortium to develop and install solar panel and power output systems in the atolls on Tuesday, January 31 at a special ceremony held at Hotel Jen.
Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna signed on behalf of the government while the Sinosoar’s Project Manager Xiao Xiu Ming signed on behalf of the contractor.
Under the project, Sinosoar will install 6.35-megawatt Solar-PV panels, a 7.66-megawatt battery energy system, and an energy management system in 26 islands of both atolls. Sinosaur was contracted to complete the project within a year.
The solar power systems will save 2.9 million liters of diesel and approximately MVR 47 million per year according to the ministry. The systems will reportedly help reduce nearly 7,900 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted into the air.
The project carried out with the assistance from European Investment Bank (EIB) will cost USD 18.24 million (MVR 280 million).
The ministry said the project is a step forward in achieving the government’s Net-Zero 2030 vision. In addition to this, the government aims to reduce fuel dependency and utilize available resources to produce renewable energy.
The ministry said it has launched a nationwide initiative of installing Solar-PV hybrid systems in all the islands.
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