Environment Ministry Estimates MVR 170 Million to Relocate Solar Panels on Bridge Highway
Photo: World Bank
The Environment Ministry has projected a cost of MVR 170 million for the removal and relocation of solar panels situated on the highway of the Sinamale’ Bridge.
President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s announcement regarding the intended removal of the solar panels comes amid public complaints regarding the impact on the aesthetics of the bridge area and concerns raised about the safety and security of highway users due to their installation.
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Muizzu stated the intention of his government to dismantle and relocate the panels to another residential island.
An official statement from the Environment Ministry clarified that the solar panel installation project has reached its completion phase, with the final stage of connecting to the grid currently in progress. Relocating the panels, as proposed, would significantly strain state finances, with an estimated cost of approximately MVR 170 million.
The project, a component of the Accelerating Sustainable Private Investment in Renewable Energy (ASPIRE) initiative, is overseen by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology in collaboration with the World Bank.
The total project cost stands at $11 million or MVR 169 million, facilitated by Thailand’s Ensys Co. Notably, this initiative is not financed through the state budget.
Emphasising that the decision to install solar panels on the highway was initiated by the preceding government under President Yameen’s administration, the current government reiterated that it wasn’t their own undertaking.
Government representatives previously explored multiple locations for solar panel installations. However, citing insufficient available space and incompatibility with various other works, the highway area was deemed the most viable option.
Safety assessments and recommendations from contractors and engineers were integral in considering accident prevalence in the area and the necessary safety measures.
