The installation of solar panels under the Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (POISED) initiative has begun in three islands; Hdh. Neykurendhoo, Hdh. Nolhivaramfaru and Hdh. Kulhudufushi. In the current phase of the project, 3.5 MW of solar systems capable of meeting 30% of peak demand will be installed on all inhabited islands in the Maldives' Hdh atoll.
The Asian Development Bank-funded initiative, which is being carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology and Fenaka, intends to minimize reliance on diesel-based power generation by deploying solar-diesel hybrid power generating systems.
Under the project, 116kWp of solar PV is being established at HDh. Neykurendhoo, whilst 249kWp of solar PV is under installation at HDh. Nolhivaramfaru, and a 800 kWp of solar PV in HDh. Kulhudufushi. The systems will be connected with the existing power infrastructure to create a solar-diesel hybrid system.
Upon completion of the project, it is estimated that the Fenaka will be able to annually save a large amount of expenditure presently allocated for purchasing fuel and will also minimize the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere annually. Fenaka has set a target of converting 70% of its power generation to renewable energy in accordance with the Maldives' government's Strategic Action Plan.