Rakeedhoo to generate 100 percent renewable energy

The State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) on Saturday has said they are working to transition Vaavu atoll Rakeedhoo's power into 100 percent renewable energy in the next two weeks.

The island currently utilizes a hybrid system of photovoltaic (PV), battery enery storage system (BESS), and diesel generator (DG) - or PV-BESS-DG. With this system, the diesel generator is powered for only two hours per day.

While providing information about the system in Rakeedhoo, STLECO's Renewable Energy Department's General Manager Ibrahim Nizam said the island's electrical needs are provided through solar energy during the daytime and from a battery-powered source at night.

Nizam further said the battery is rechargeable similar to a 'phone battery', and can provide power to the entire island for the whole island with 95 percent charge.

Once the battery reaches to 25 percent, the energy management system at Rakeedhoo's power station will turn off power output from the battery and automatically switch to the diesel engine.

He further said the batteries will be well maintained in the next 20 years.

Nizam emphasized that though power is provided through a diesel generator for two hours, the island's entire energy output will be transitioned to 100 percent renewable energy soon.

Speaking in this regard, Nizam also noted that power is not adequately generated even by installing solar panels on all the government buildings in the island due to which solar panels were installed on private residences under the 'Avi Katha' scheme.

Solar panels were installed on the roofs of 12 private residences in the island under the scheme. Under the scheme, the roofs of these private residences are rented by STELCO.

STELCO pays this rent either by deducting from the electricity bills of these residences or by depositing the money into the beneficiary accounts.

Currently STELCO has approved a rent of MVR 105 for one-kilowatt of solar power. Ten out of the 12 residences receive the rent to their bank accounts with the other two residences receiving rent through deductions on their electricity bills. Customers have option to choose either forms of rent.

"These residences receive about MVR 1,500 in rent, meaning they will not receive electricity bills. Say, if the house consumes MVR 1,400 worth electricity per month, and receive MVR 1,500 in rent. Which means STELCO has to pay an extra MVR 100 to said house," Nizam explained.

STELCO has also installed four solar street lights across Rakeedhoo's harbor, which are powered by sunlight.

Increasing the renewable energy output to 33 percent nationwide is a key pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.