STELCO resumes electricity services in Addu City after 17 years

STELCO has once again taken over the provision of electricity services in Addu City, marking the second time the company has assumed responsibility for the region’s power supply. Electricity in Addu was previously provided by Fenaka Corporation, but STELCO was the original provider before utility management was restructured.

A special flag-raising ceremony was held in Hithadhoo on Wednesday to officially mark the takeover. Speaking at the event, STELCO Managing Director Dr. Ali Azwar said STELCO last provided electricity to Addu 17 years ago, and the President’s decision to return the service to STELCO is a significant step toward ensuring reliable and sustainable electricity for residents.

Following the ceremony, Azwar and senior officials visited the Central Power Station, inspecting engines and generation systems. They also visited STELCO’s Maradhoo-Feydhoo office, where the company flag was raised. Addressing staff, Azwar said STELCO’s return has brought “new hopes” to the people of Addu.

މި ކުންފުނިން އައްޑޫ ސިޓީގެ ކަރަންޓުގެ ޚިދުމަތާ ރަސްމީކޮށް ޙަވާލުވުމަށްފަހު، މެނޭޖިންގ ޑިރެކްޓަރ ޑރ. ޢަލީ އަޒުވަރާއި، ކުންފުނީގެ އިސްވެރިން ވަނީ އެ ސިޓީގެ ސެންޓްރަލް ޕަވަރ ސްޓޭޝަނަށް ޒިޔާރަތްކުރައްވާފައި. މި ޒިޔާރަތުގައި، އިންޖީނުތަކުގެ ޙާލަތާއި ކަރަންޓު އުފެއްދުމުގެ ނިޒާމު… pic.twitter.com/c6bZwWjFFB

— STELCO (@STELCOMALDIVES) September 30, 2026

Power outages have long been a persistent issue in Addu, affecting households, businesses and daily life. Many residents expect improvements once a new powerhouse is completed. Although the government awarded the project to a Chinese company, construction has not yet begun.

STELCO originally supplied electricity to Addu until 2009, when the government decentralized utilities and transferred southern power assets to Southern Utilities Limited. In 2012, the regional utilities were merged to form Fenaka Corporation, which then became the sole provider. Fenaka’s recent bankruptcy and dissolution have now returned Addu’s electricity operations to STELCO, completing a full-circle transition.