Solar PV hybrid systems to be installed at 26 islands

A party has been contracted to install Solar PV hybrid systems at 26 residential islands in Raa Atoll and Baa Atoll.

Environment Ministry contracted the project to SINOSOAR Yingli Consortium during a special ceremony held at Hotel Jen on Tuesday.

The agreement was signed by Minister Aminath Shauna on behalf of the Environment Ministry while Project Manager Xiao Xiu Ming signed on behalf of the company.

Under this agreement, 6.35MW solar PV hybrid systems and 7.66 MW/h battery energy storage systems will be installed at 26 residential islands in Raa Atoll and Baa Atoll. The system is expected to save up to 2.9 million liters of diesel per year.

This would effectively save up to MVR 47 million per year, while 7,900 tons of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere will be slashed.

The project was contracted to be completed within a one-year period.

Environment Ministry, commenting on the project, said the government is undertaking multiple efforts to decrease dependency on oil imported to the Maldives from foreign nations, increase the production of electricity through renewable sources available in the Maldives and ensure Maldives reaches its net-zero target by 2030.

In this regard, the Ministry detailed that projects to install solar PV hybrid systems in all residential Maldivian islands have been commenced under which 53MW solar PV systems have been installed across the Maldives. The Ministry added that 36.5MW solar PV, out of this, was installed within the last four years of this administration.

The project will be carried out with assistance from European Investment Bank.