The Maldives’ state-run electric company, Stelco, has announced a 75 megawatt wind farm project to be constructed on Gaafaru Island, North Male’ atoll.
The $200 million project will utilise the latest generation wind turbines and be connected to the electricity grid of Male’ through a network of submarine electricity cables.
On windy days where surplus electricity is created, excess power will run a water desalination plant and on calm days, a liquefied natural gas plant will provide 50MW of back-up power.
The project will not only provide clean electricity and help substantially reduce diesel generator use, but many of Gaafaru Island’s 800 inhabitants will be provided employment in maintaining the wind farm equipment.
Maldives President Nasheed is a staunch supporter of renewable energy and this year launched an initiative to make the nation carbon neutral by 2020. A shift from fossil fuels to boosting renewable energy production including wind and solar power in the Maldives lies at the heart of his plan.
According to Chris Goodall of Oxford Climate Associates, the organisation that developed the Maldives’ carbon neutral plan, the Gaafaru project will slash the Maldives’ carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25%.
Commenting on the wind farm project, President Nasheed said, “We want the Maldives to be the place to test renewables. We want the Maldives to be the place to build renewables. We want the Maldives to be the place to invest in renewables. We will position the Maldives as a showcase for renewable energy”.
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