While the Maldives has accomplished several milestones when it comes to becoming more sustainable, Minister Thorif highlighted this accomplishment noting that when the current administration assumed office, renewable energy accounted for just 53 MW or approximately 4 percent of the country’s total energy consumption.
Asian Development Bank
The Maldives has made significant strides in its transition to renewable energy, increasing its capacity by 17 megawatts (MW) over the past year. Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, announced this achievement at the 15th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi.
According to Minister Thoriq, the nation’s renewable energy capacity has grown from 53 MW to 70 MW within a year, marking a pivotal moment in the Maldives' efforts to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Over the years, the country has made several efforts to increase its renewable energy capacity in an effort towards becoming a sustainable leader on a global scale. While the Maldives has accomplished several milestones when it comes to becoming more sustainable, Minister Thorif highlighted this accomplishment noting that when the current administration assumed office, renewable energy accounted for just 53 MW or approximately 4 percent of the country’s total energy consumption. Minister Thoriq further revealed that 170 MW of renewable energy projects are currently in various stages of development, demonstrating the government’s commitment to expanding the renewable energy sector.
This is just the first milestone towards the actual goal that has been set by the president of the Maldives, who has set a target to generate 33 percent of the country's energy from renewable sources by 2028. The progress that the country has made so far is crucial for the Maldives, as a nation acutely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and rising fuel costs. Transitioning to renewable energy not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also enhances the country’s energy security and economic resilience. With its geography of dispersed islands, renewable energy solutions such as solar and wind power are ideal for providing sustainable and decentralized energy solutions across the Maldives.
Several projects have played a key role in advancing renewable energy in the Maldives. Initiatives like the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program (SREP) funded by the World Bank have supported the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across islands. The solar power systems installed in Malé and Hulhumalé under the Accelerating Sustainable Private Investments in Renewable Energy (ASPIRE) project have also significantly contributed to reducing diesel dependency. Additionally, the Addu City Solar Energy Project has added to the nation’s capacity, demonstrating how renewable energy can sustainably power larger population centres.
