The Government is working to expand the Hakathari energy programme to cover electronic devices used in public projects, according to Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim.

Speaking at a workshop organised by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy in partnership with USAID's South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) on January 20, 2025, the Minister outlined the upcoming changes. He shared that efforts are underway to amend procurement rules, ensuring that electronic devices in Government projects meet energy efficiency standards.

The Minister has stated that while the Hakathari programme currently focuses on the general public, future plans include broadening its scope to include energy-efficient devices used in Government projects. According to him, the revisions to public procurement policies are being made to ensure that energy-efficient products are prioritised in public projects.

This shift is expected to reduce national energy expenditure and support President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s goal of raising the country’s renewable energy share to 33 per cent. 

The Minister also discussed ongoing efforts to promote the use of eco-friendly resources across the Maldives. As part of the programme, the Government aims to replace household appliances, such as water heaters, water pumps, and fans, with more energy-efficient alternatives. These initiatives are expected to improve energy consumption and help lower public spending.

Currently, 71 models of energy-efficient appliances, including washing machines, air conditioners, and refrigerators, are imported into the Maldives under the Hakathari programme. These appliances, which consume less energy, contribute to the country's sustainability objectives. The Government plans to further expand the programme by adding more devices in the future to reduce energy consumption nationwide.

The workshop brought together experts from USAID, business representatives, and importers to discuss the potential for adding more electronic products to the programme. Additionally, the Government is exploring ways to extend the programme into the private sector.