State Electric Company (STELCO) Managing Director Hussain Fahmy announced that the 150-megawatt solar project in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will supply electricity to Malé even with engines switched off for eight hours, dramatically reducing fuel costs.

The project aligns with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's pledge to convert 33 per cent of the Maldives' electricity to renewable energy. The Government plans to establish a solar energy system generating 150 megawatts in the country's SEZ.

Speaking on PSM News' Raajje Miadhu programme, Fahmy explained that the solar project would allow power delivery to Malé during daylight hours without running engines. He stated electricity could be provided for seven to eight hours without burning fuel, significantly cutting national expenditure.

Before the project's completion, STELCO is installing smart metres in Malé households to enable engine-free electricity distribution.

Fahmy stated that smart metre installation would begin after Ramadan and be completed within a year. He added that these metres would facilitate providing electricity from both fuel and solar energy while showing real-time usage.

Despite increased electricity consumption during Ramadan, Fahmy assured consistent power supply throughout.

The SEZ solar project includes the Magey Solar programme, which installs solar photovoltaic systems in households to increase renewable energy generation. These initiatives aim to reduce the Maldives' fuel imports, which currently cost approximately MVR 5 billion monthly.