ADB-funded project to install 20 MW solar systems in 20 islands
The ministry, however, is yet to give details of the islands involved in the project.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
The government has initiated talks to set up solar power generation systems in 20 islands and has announced that it is looking for a contractor to set up and operate the systems in these islands.
According to a notification issued by the finance ministry on Thursday, the government and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are in talks to implement the Accelerating Sustainable System development Using Renewable Energy (ASSURE) project.
Under the project:
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The solar power generation system will be set up at the bidder's own cost and on their own equipment
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The contractor should run and maintain the systems for an agreed period of time
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The government will take over the systems after that period
The ministry, however, is yet to give details of the islands involved in the project.
As per the announcement:
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A non-refundable fee of MVR 3,000 or USD 200 to register for the bid
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The registration fee will be accepted from Sunday till August 10 through the finance ministry's Bandeyri Pay portal
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USD 500,000 or equivalent in MVR as bid security should be submitted
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The bid security should be valid for 180 days from the date of opening of bids
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Bids can be submitted to the finance ministry by 11 am on August 14
Solar power generation systems have already been set up in several islands. In 2017, a total of 4.57 MW of power generation systems were assigned to be set up in 27 inhabited islands of H.A. and H.Dh. atolls.
Similar projects are being carried out in some major places, such as Male and Addu, with the help of foreign agencies.
