President-elect pledges to relocate highway solar panels

President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has promised to relocate the solar panels installed alongside the length of Hulhulé-Hulhumalé highway.

The 5.6 megawatt solar panel system installed across the highway that connects Hulhumalé and Hulhulé with Malé City via the Sinamalé Bridge is the largest single grid solar-PV installment project in the Maldives to date.

While speaking with the residents of Hulhumalé 1 on Saturday, October 28, Dr. Muizzu said that due to the heavy installation of the panels running lengthwise across the highway, the area feels 'claustrophobic'.

He further noted that the beautiful oceanic view south of the highway has been fully blocked with the panels' installation, which further diminished the beautiful panoramic view of the area.

"Renewable energy is important, which is something we prioritize as well. We prioritize the environment and climate change policies as well, but when there are optimum ways to achieve that, there will be optimum ways to achieve this as well," Dr. Muizzu said, highlighting the need to relocate the panels elsewhere.

Dr. Muizzu said the panels will be relocated to the two small or medium-sized islands after discussing with the company which funded them.

The government contracted Thailand's Ensys Co Limited to install the panels in November 2020, with physical works commencing on December 2022.

Ministry of Environment earlier reported the solar-PV grid is capable of producing 9.1 million solar units per annum, which is equivalent to electricity produced using two million liters of diesel, and would save MVR 20 million from state expenditure annually.

The ministry earlier reported that the installation will conclude in October and commence generating power.