STELCO inaugurates new 19.2MW powerhouse for peak season

State Electric Company (STELCO) has inaugurated ‘Hulhumale’ Anex-2 Powerhouse’ in preparation for this year’s peak electricity consumption season.

The powerhouse was inaugurated during a ceremony held on Saturday night, where STELCO’s Managing Director Hussain Fahumy hoisted the company’s flag and Deputy Managing Director Aishath Muzna hoisted the national flag.

Fahumy also commissioned one of the generators at the powerhouse the installation had been completed. 

According to STELCO, the newly opened powerhouse in Hulhumale’ will feature 12 generator sets, each with a capacity of 1.6 megawatts. Currently, six generator sets have been commissioned. Five additional sets have already been acquired and will be commissioned before the end of Ramadan. This will bring the total capacity of the Hulhumale’ Anex-2 Powerhouse to 19.2 megawatts.

STELCO forecasts the peak season to commence after Ramadan when heat picks up.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Fahumy underscored that STELCO staff completed a “huge national work” in a short frame of time, driven by the noble commitment to serving the Maldivian citizens.

In this regard, he detailed that company’s staff cleaned a 48,000-square-foot land area, removed approximately 200 tons of waste, leveled the ground, connected the new powerhouse to Anex-1 in Hulhumale’, and installed fuel pipelines and cables between the two powerhouses—all within just nine days.

He underscored that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had closely monitored the work from the onset, identifying potential obstacles and offering guidance and instructions to overcome them.  On this note, he detailed that the President had attended some of the meetings held to acquire the land plot for the powerhouse.

“STELCO staff had worked in the heat and rain of Ramadan, without any hesitation, for the sake of the people. For this, I extend special gratitude for the staff,” he added.

Fahumy, emphasizing STELCO's commitment to plan and prepare for the future, assured citizens that there will be no power interruptions during this year's peak season due to capacity issues.

However, citing STELCO’s services are technical, Fahumy noted the possibility of power interruptions over technical issues. Nevertheless, he affirmed STELCO’s staff commitment to resuming power at the earliest in such a situation.

While STELCO provides services across 33 islands at present, the company has undertaken significant efforts across all of them in preparation for Ramadan and the peak season, added Fahumy.

Last night’s inauguration ceremony was attended by a large number of lawmakers, STELCO management and members of the public.