Malé, Maldives —Environment Ministry has announced that solar panels of 11-14 Megawatts will be installed in 14 islands of the Maldives.
Environment Ministry informed that they have opened pre-qualification applications for investors to install solar panels in 14 islands including 10 islands from Laamu Atoll. They are:
- GA. Villingili
- Dh. Kudahuvadhoo
- Sh. Funadhoo
- Lh. Naifaru
- L. Fonadhoo
- L. Gan
- L. Hithadhoo
- L. Maamendhoo
- L. Kunahandhoo
- L. Maabaidhoo
- L. Dhabidhoo
- L. Maavah
- L. Isdhoo
- L. Kalaidhoo
The solar panels are being installed with the Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration and Sustainable Energy (ARISE) project funded by the World Bank to help Maldives accelerate its transition to renewable energy and support sustainable recovery.
The project aims to expand solar power generation in locations in and out of the Greater Male’ region and strengthen the capacity of the power system for the integration of electricity generated from solar power. The solar installations under the ASPIRE and ARISE projects will help generate a cumulative of 42.5 MW capacity, which would be a significant addition to the 2020 target of 51 MW.
The total project cost is $107.4 million, including a $12.4 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessional credit window for developing countries. Financing from non-World Bank Group entities includes $30 million from the Clean Technology Fund, $20 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and $45 million in commercial financing.
