2 years needed for Addu power resolution, Fenaka says
Muaz said efforts were underway to address the electricity problems in other large populations such as Fuvahmulah and Kulhudhuffushi.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
Addu’s electricity issues will take between 18 months and two years to resolve, Fenaka has said.
The company's Managing Director Muaz Mohamed Rasheed told a news conference on Thursday that Addu's power crisis will be resolved once the part of the project handed over to a Chinese company is completed.
Dongfang Electric International Corporation of China was awarded the contract to upgrade the electricity network of connected islands in Addu in April this year.
Under the work:
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A new 32 MW power plant will be set up in Hithadhoo
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The distribution system will be upgraded
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In this project, the electricity generation capacity will be increased for the next 20 years
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The project cost USD 59 million; Fenaka will have 12 years to pay
Muaz said it is still very difficult to power the largest neighbourhood in Addu, Hithadhoo, and that power has to be cut from different areas to deal with these problems every now and then.
“In agreement with a Chinese company, hopefully within the next two years, the project will provide a permanent solution to the electricity problem in Addu,” Muaz said.
He said 17-18 generators are installed to supply electricity to Addu. The generators were not maintained in the past and they are in very poor condition.
“We are working to increase the spares and generation capacity of the equipment and to send more generators to Addu to replace the damaged ones,” Muaz said.
Muaz said efforts were underway to address the electricity problems in other large populations such as Fuvahmulah and Kulhudhuffushi.
Muaz said the company needed between MVR 800 million and 1 billion, to upgrade its services in 90 islands providing electricity. Muaz said he would work with the government to raise the money and identify the islands that most need to upgrade the electricity network.
