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India gifts 200K LED lights to Maldives

01 April 2019, MVT 11:55
From the ceremony held to inaugurate replacing all lights on the streets of the capital Male’ with LED lights. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED / MIHAARU
01 April 2019, MVT 11:55

Minister of Environment Dr Hussain Rasheed, on Sunday, revealed that India is gifting 200,000 LED lights to Maldives.

Speaking at a ceremony held to inaugurate the replacement of all street lights in capital Male’ with LED, the minister stated that the lights provided by India will be issued to households.

The occasion was attended by Ambassador of India to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir and Deputy Mayor of Male’ City Council Shamau Shareef.

To initiate the project, the minister and deputy mayor replaced the lights on Izzudeen Magu with LED lights.

Dr Rasheed claimed that the scheme is an important step towards establishing sustainable energy sources in Maldives. He mentioned that the amount of energy used in the city is increasing from 9-11 percent, and it is important to adopt more sustainable methods to save expenditure on energy.

According to the minister, the Indian government presented 2,500 LED lights for the cause, as per an agreement made between India and Maldives on March 17.

“By using these 2,500 lights, for 12 hours per day, can save 480 units of energy, which is enough to power 40 homes, and equal to MVR 685,000.”

He expressed his gratitude to the Indian government and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) on behalf of the Maldivian government and the people of Maldives.

The project was inspired by the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) and Street Light National Programme carried out successfully in India.

It has not been revealed when the LED lights will be distributed.

By using these long-lasting environment friendly lights, 66.61 million kilowatts can be saved per hour, which is energy worth MVR 291 million. Moreover, the ministry declared that greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by 54,616 tonnes a year.

At the event, Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir expressed his happiness regarding the initiative in using sustainable energy, and affirmed that India will support further ventures taken up by Maldives.

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