Environment Ministry Contracts Upgrade of Grid Infrastructure Across 19 Islands
The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy has entered into contract agreements with contractors to upgrade the grid infrastructure in 19 islands across the Maldives.
The project, ARISE, is supported by the International Development Association (IDA) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
The funding for the project includes a USD 6.2 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank and a USD 20 million loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. These financial contributions will be utilised to perform the necessary enhancements in the specified islands to improve the overall grid system.
According to the Environment Ministry, the project will be implemented in three phases.
The first phase includes eight islands. The agreement was signed with Nanjing Daji Steel Tower Manufacturing Co. Ltd. to upgrade the electricity viuga of the islands in this phase. Project Manager Li Giang signed The agreement on behalf of the company. Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim signed on behalf of the ministry.
- The islands in the first phase are:
- S. Feydhoo
- S. Maradhoofeydhoo
- Maradhoo
- Hithadhoo
- Hulhudhoo
- Meedhoo
- Fuvahmulah
- GDh. Thinadhoo
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between China National Technical Import and Export Corporation and Shijiazhuang Kelin Co Ltd to upgrade the island grid in phases 2 and 3. General Manager Yin Ging signed The agreement on behalf of the company. Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim signed on behalf of the ministry.
- The islands in the second phase are:
- B. Edafushi
- Lh. Hinnavaru
- HDh Kulhudhuffushi
- The islands in the third phase are:
- L. Fonadhoo
- L. Isdhoo
- L. Kalaidhoo
- L. Dhanbidhoo
- L. Maabaidhoo
- L. Kunahandhoo
- L. Hithadhoo
- Sh. Funadhoo
According to the Energy Ministry, the initiative aims to achieve the government’s target of increasing renewable energy generation in the country and providing electricity in an eco-friendly manner.
The ministry also said that the project is also in the process of setting up AVIN power generation systems across the country and installing a battery energy storage system of about 40 MW for storage for these systems.
Once the power view is upgraded, the fibre optic communication viuga and the automation of the network will allow you to check the operating status of the power plant on time. Once the network is automated, the hybrid power system will be able to function correctly, and minor technical issues will be resolved immediately to help avoid power outages, the environment ministry said.
The ministry said that once the project is completed, the power network infrastructure for the next 15 years will be ensured, and voltage drop problems in many islands will be resolved. The ministry said it will also help ease the problem of power outages by avoiding various hurdles people face when using certain types of electricity equipment.