Solar panel installation on Hulhule-Hulhumale highway begins
This will be the largest solar panel installation in the country so far.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
As part of the Accelerating Sustainable Private Investment in Renewable Energy (ASPIRE) project being undertaken by the environment ministry, work has begun to install solar system panels on the link road connecting Hulhule and Hulhumale.
Under the World Bank-funded project, Thailand's Encis Co Ltd was awarded a contract in November 2020 to set up a solar power system on the link road between Hulhule and Hulhumale.
Project highlights:
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5 MW solar power to be generated per day
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7.3 million power units to be generated annually
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MVR 15-20 million can be saved annually from fuel expenditure
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This will be the largest solar panel installation in the country so far
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The rate at which generated solar power is sold to STELCO is 10.09 cents per unit (MVR 1.681)
The geotechnical survey to be carried out at the site, the EIA report and detailed structure design to assess environmental damage have been completed.
When contacted, Ifad Waheed, communications officer for the ASPIRE project told Atoll Times on Monday that work is currently underway to install steel structures for the solar panels. According to him:
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The installation of solar panels at the site after the installation of the structure will be completed by the end of this year.
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Panels connecting STELCO's grid are expected to start generating power in March 2023.
Ifad cited the difficulty in procuring materials for the work due to the Covid-19 led global supply chain issues for the project, which was initially targeted to be completed by the end of last year.
