Solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid power systems with a combined capacity of 6.4 megawatts have been officially launched across 25 islands in Raa and Baa Atolls under the Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (POISED) project.

The project was implemented jointly by the Government of Maldives, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to strengthen the country's energy security, reduce reliance on imported diesel, and support national climate goals. The systems include a combined 6.36 megawatt-peak solar PV capacity and 10 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage, and are expected to generate 10.4 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually. The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy said the systems are expected to save more than three million litres of diesel each year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8,400 metric tonnes annually.

The systems were inaugurated by Minister of Climate Change, Ali Shareef, at a ceremony held in Raa Kinolhas. The event was attended by senior officials from the ministry, Managing Director of Fenaka Corporation Mohamed Afif Hussain, Managing Director of Public Service Media (PSM) Ahmed Shakeeb, representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, and officials from the Kinolhas Council.

Speaking at the ceremony, State Minister of Ministry of Climate Change, Dr Muaviyath Mohamed, said the Maldives is making significant progress in expanding solar energy generation. He said the initiative would benefit the public by reducing fuel expenditure, easing pressure on the economy, and lowering annual spending on fuel imports. He added that similar projects would be expanded to other parts of the country.

The systems were launched on 13 islands in Raa Atoll: Alifushi, Vaadhoo, Rasgetheemu, Angolhitheemu, Maakurathu, Rasmaadhoo, Innamaadhoo, Maduvvari, Inguraidhoo, Fainu, Meedhoo, Kinolhas, and Hulhudhuffaaru, and 12 islands in Baa Atoll: Kudarikilu, Kamadhoo, Kendhoo, Kihaadhoo, Dhonfanu, Dharavandhoo, Maalhos, Eydhafushi, Thulhaadhoo, Hithaadhoo, Fulhadhoo, and Fehendhoo.

The ministry said the completion of the latest phase brings the total number of islands where POISED projects have been completed to 97. Across these islands, 19.8 megawatts of solar PV capacity and 20.6 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage have been installed and are now in operation. Work is continuing on a further 23 islands and is expected to be completed in 2027.

The POISED project aims to replace diesel-based electricity generation systems with solar PV hybrid systems across 160 islands. The Government aims to generate 33 per cent of the country's electricity from renewable energy by the end of 2028, a target also included in the Maldives' Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).