Environment Ministry signs largest solar PV contract in Maldivian history

Environment Ministry on Tuesday signed the largest solar PV contract in Maldivian history.

Under the project, 11 megawatt of solar PV will be installed in six islands, including the cities in Maldives. This includes 3 megawatts in Addu City, 2 megawatts in Fuvahmulah City, 2 megawatts in GDh. Thinadhoo, 1.5 megawatts in Kulhudhuffushi City, 1.5 megawatts in B. Eydhafushi, and 1 megawatt in Lh. Hinnavaru.

The project was contracted to a joint venture between Malaysia’s Mega First Power Industries Sdn. Bhd. and China’s Powerchina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited in a ceremony at H. Meeruma in Male’ on Tuesday.

The contract was signed by Maldivian Environment Minister Aminath Shauna – who attended the ceremony virtually – and Mega First Power Industries’ Head of Renewables Division Goh Chin San and Powerchina Huadong Engineering Corporation’s General Manager Song Kin Go.

It is the largest solar PV contract in Maldivian history under the PPA (solar power purchase agreement) model.

The power purchasing agreement for the project was signed by Fenaka Corporation’s Director Ahmed Azleem.

Practical work on the project is scheduled to begin in Q1 2023. The work will be complete and power generated under the project in Q4 2023.

With the project, Maldives will generate approximately 18 million units of solar power per annum. It will cut the diesel purchased to generate electricity by approximately 4.8 million liters, and the cost of diesel by MVR 39 million.