Solar power can be generated in several islands within two years: President

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has said that solar power can be generated in several islands within two years.

The president made this remark while speaking at a ceremony held to inaugurate the Fahiali program, aimed at reducing electricity costs.

The president said that under the program, 50,000 energy efficient lights had been donated by the Chinese government, which will be installed at government offices. He said that similar lights will be provided to all islands under the Fahiali program.

He highlighted that the Maldives spends about MVR 4 billion per year on import of oil, out of which $220 million (MVR 3.4 billion) is spent by the government.

He further noted that MVR 500 million per year is spent from the state budget to sell oil at subsidised prices, and said that these expenses need to be reduced.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Environment and Energy Mariyam Shakeela said that under the Fahiali program, LED lights will be installed at all government offices and island harbours.

At the ceremony, LED lights were handed over to government ministries by the president.