| Project Detail |
The Maldives has significant renewable energy resources, i.e., the potential to generate solar power, ocean energy and in some pockets, wind power. To improve energy security, the government has committed to increase the use of renewable energy and promote energy efficiency. In 2014, the government has initiated two major programs (i) Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (POISED) supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to introduce solar photovoltaic battery-based hybrid systems in outer islands; and (ii) Accelerating Sustainable Private Investments in Renewable Energy supported by World Bank to mobilize private sector investments in solar photovoltaic in greater Male region.
Project Name Accelerating Sustainable System Development Using Renewable Energy Project
Project Number 55191-001
Country / Economy Maldives
Project Status Approved
The Maldives has significant renewable energy resources, i.e., the potential to generate solar power, ocean energy and in some pockets, wind power. To improve energy security, the government has committed to increase the use of renewable energy and promote energy efficiency. In 2014, the government has initiated two major programs (i) Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (POISED) supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to introduce solar photovoltaic battery-based hybrid systems in outer islands; and (ii) Accelerating Sustainable Private Investments in Renewable Energy supported by World Bank to mobilize private sector investments in solar photovoltaic in greater Male region.
The POISED project was approved by ADBs Board of Directors on 29 September 2014 and is one of the largest renewable energy sector interventions in Maldives. The project finances the replacement of inefficient diesel-based power generation grids in 160 outer islands of Maldives and in Male with renewable-energy-ready grid systems, energy management systems, upgraded distribution grids including online monitoring and supervisory control systems. These interventions will contribute to reducing the cost of electricity, the subsidy burden on the government budget, and emissions, and will diversify the power generation mix. ADB also approved a second additional financing on 30 October 2020 to expand the POISED project.
The POISED project has played a vital role in escalating the penetration of renewable energy and the project has installed more than 10.5 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity, 5.6 megawatt-hours of battery storage, and 11.6 MW of energy-efficient diesel generators and associated investments covering 70 outer islands across eight atolls. The implementation is in various stages for remaining 90 islands. The project also supported the preparation of renewable energy road map for the energy sector; initiating regulatory and net metering reforms; and improving the capacity of the Ministry of Environment (MOE), FENAKA, and STELCO focusing on renewable energy. The project also supports several gender initiatives such as (i) awareness campaigns on renewable energy covering island communities, women development councils, students, and government organizations; (ii) providing training and creating internship and employment opportunities for women in utilities; and (ii) developing gender inclusive renewable energy-based income generation activities through fisheries and other pilot interventions.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy Maldives, with its 1,192 islands spread across 800 kilometers in the central Indian ocean, is one of the worlds most geographically dispersed countries. This dispersion and small size of most inhabited islands make it extremely challenging to generate electricity centrally and distribute it through a comprehensive grid network to realize economies of scale. The Maldives has about 290 megawatts (MW) diesel generators, and more than 22 MW in renewable energy installations in 186 inhabited islands, and about another 144 MW diesel generators in resort islands. The cost of generation is unaffordable at $0.30-$0.70 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (depending on the island) and requires government subsidies in excess of $62 million or 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. Fossil fuel imports account for about 10% of the countrys GDP, about half of this is for electricity generation. The heavy diesel dependence of Maldives also makes its carbon emissions per unit of electricity among the highest in the region. The State Electric Company (STELCO) and FENAKA Corporation Limited (FENAKA) are the main electricity utilities responsible for supplying electricity to the communities of inhabited islands, except for a few where island councils are still responsible for electricity supply.
Impact
Energy security and sustainable transition of electricity sector in Maldives improved (Strategic Action Plan 2019-2023, Government of Maldives). |
