While it has taken some time, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel as STELCO has recently announced their plans to build a new powerhouse in 2023.
STELCO
As the years pass and the world continues to develop in all areas, one thing we have learned is that some areas of development have some negative consequences. One good example of this would be the powerhouses built to provide us with the electricity that we use in our day-to-day life, whether that is in homes, schools or any other institution. As we have become too dependent on fuel-generated electricity, powerhouses have become a part of any development plan - we are left to deal with having such powerhouses.
When it comes to the Maldives, one of the biggest complaints people have regarding the powerhouses run by the State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has always been the noise, the strong vibrations as well as the toxic smoke from the powerhouses. People who reside near its location have always complained about health issues related to the smoke or being unable to live a peaceful life due to the extremely loud noise.
To address these concerns, the People's Majilis has previously intervened, requesting that STELCO lengthen the pipes and make the powerhouse soundproof, among other things, in order to bring some peace to those who live near the powerhouse.
There might be a light at the end of the tunnel as STELCO has recently announced their plans to build a new powerhouse in 2023 with the intention of building a powerhouse that provides 100-megawatt electricity instead of the 50-70-megawatt that is being produced by the current facility.
STELCO plans to start works on the project within the first three months of 2023, the project is to be carried out on the land next to the ‘fifth power project’ developed by STELCO in phase I of Hulhumale’.
The fifth power project was the largest power project carried out in the Maldives so far - in order to assure electricity in the Maldives for the next 10-20 years.
With the ever-evolving population in the capital city Male’, STELCO is faced with producing enough electricity to make Male’ a livable city for everyone. While STELCO has carried out four different projects in order to increase the capacity of the powerhouse, the new 100-megawatt powerhouse is a big step up from all of their previous projects.
However, for some citizens, the most significant benefit of the development of a new powerhouse will be the hope that the new and improved powerhouses will not pose a health risk in the same way that the previous ones did and many look forward to the day when the old engines that caused these issues will be relocated elsewhere.
