Will a 5 MW solar installation make Maldives a popular destination?

Now, one of the first sights for any of the 1.7 million tourists visiting the Maldives will be that of the 5 MW solar installation on the highway linking the airport island to Male and its satellite town of Hulhumale.

What is the Maldives solar project?

The Maldives solar project is a 36 MW solar power project and 50 MWh of battery energy storage solutions development across various islands in the Maldives. It also includes grid modernization for the integration of variable renewable energy with the grid, which will be financed under the proposed AIIB loan.

Should investors invest in sustainable solar projects in the Maldives?

In 2014, the first 1.5 MW solar project under ASPIRE only had four investors bids, and resulted in a high power purchase price (PPA) of 21 US cents per unit of electricity, indicating a lack of interest from investors in investing in sustainable projects in the Maldives.

Will Maldivian governments help achieve energy transformation goals?

The foresight and climate-proactivity of successive Maldivian governments, coupled with development financing from partners like the World Bank, will help the country achieve its ambitious energy transformation targets, showcasing best practices for other island states.

How will the Maldives' fuel subsidy project impact the economy?

This will reduce the Maldives’ import bill by approximately US$ 30 million annually, with a total project lifetime saving of US$ 750 million over 25 years. These projects are expected to significantly reduce the government’s fuel subsidy expenditure, thereby decreasing the nation's reliance on fossil fuels and the fiscal burden this creates.

When will the Aspire project start in the Maldives?

The inauguration of the 5 MW solar project on December 7, 2022 under the ASPIRE project has been a game changer in the energy transition journey of the Maldives .