The Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean that is threatened by rising sea levels, is turning to solar power to get its electricity.
State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) and Renewable Energy Maldives (REM) have devised a solar energy project to generate electricity for six islands of Malé atoll. Altogether, The Maldives are comprised of nearly 1,200 islands and atolls.
The project is part of the country’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the country’s Environment Minister, Mohamed Aslam and Katherina Reiche, who is the Parliamentary Secretary of the German Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
The rooftop of the Muhiyiddeen School in Villimalé district, one of the island districts of Malé, received the first solar energy panels that accompanied the inauguration of the project. The panels are expected to generate 61 kilowatts of electricity with the potential to power 30 houses.
The other five islands included in this project are Maafushi, Guraidhoo, Himmafushi, Kaashidhoo and Thulusdhoo. The plan is to achieve a generation of 652 kilowatts of electricity using solar energy.
Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.
