Fenaka Corporation Limited Managing Director Mohamed Najah has said that while the project to build a powerhouse in Addu for the purpose of finding a permanent solution for the electricity issue has been awarded to a Dubai company, the project is set to begin after Ramadan.
The project was awarded to Dubai's Definite Solutions on 7th March.
While speaking on PSM's Raajje Miadhu program, Najah said that they have been working on the project since the signing, with the preparations underway for the project to begin after Ramadan.
"They have given their assurance that the practical work will begin on ground once Ramadan ends."
He stated that the electricity issue in Addu has gone unsolved for quite some time and that the situation remained unchanged even by the time the current government took office.
Najah said that there have been efforts to solve the issue over the last two years.
According to Najah, two high-speed generators were taken to Addu this year in order to solve the electricity issue, with work being done to take two additional generators. He also highlighted that five generators had been sent to Addu last year.
The high-speed generators (usually 3,600 RPM) are compact, light and affordable.
Najah went on to say that repair work on most of the broken generators have also been done since the current government took office. He also said that professionals from overseas were also brought in to repair the generators.
Najah said that the most recently signed project will find a "total solution" for Addu's electricity issue.
He stated that the Dubai company that has been awarded the project is experienced in such matters.
He highlighted the work that has begun regarding Addu's powerhouse while the project with the Dubai company is underway.
Najah said that the powerhouse will include a fuel farm and a bunkering house. He also said that five 5.2 low-speed generators will be installed, giving Addu 26 megawatts of electricity.
As per Najah, the Dubai company will work until electricity is provided.
He went on to say that engines from Belgian company Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) will be used in the powerhouse, with engines from the European brand being modern, low speed engines compared to the high speed engines currently in Addu.
Najah said that a team of Fenaka employees will be sent to the Belgian company's factory so that they can be trained.
"And so, we are hoping to begin the ground level work when Ramadan ends and finish the project without interruption by the end date of July 2027 so that we can provide the residents of Addu with electricity."
While the project to build a new powerhouse in Addu was awarded to China's Dongfang Electric Corporation in 2024, the agreement has been voided as the project did not move forward.
At the launch event for PNC's "The Greater Addu" campaign at the Artificial Beach in preparation for the upcoming Local Council Election on 4th April, President Muizzu said that the agreement that was signed will solve Addu's electricity issues for the next 20 years.
The project is worth USD 31 million.
