President: Solar panels will be installed in five more islands next year

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said that solar panels will be installed in five islands in addition to Male’ next year.

Speaking at the ceremony held last night to officially consign 77 generators to the islands by Fenaka Corporation under the “24-hour electricity guarantee” project, the president said that work is being done with the Environment Ministry to find sources other than diesel to generate electricity, the aim being to minimise the use of diesel as much as possible.

“The purpose is to make electricity more affordable to the general public. It is difficult to say how much cheaper electricity will become. However, by the time all the work is done, electricity will be relatively cheaper in the atolls as well.”

While Fenaka has signed with two contractors to send more generators to Addu City, the president said that solar panels will also be installed in Addu City along with other islands, and as a result, electricity will be provided using solar panels to one-third of Addu City.

He said that diesel is not the best long-term solution for the provision of electricity.