State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has reaffirmed its full support for the Government of Maldives’ target of increasing renewable energy usage to 33 percent by 2028, underscoring the company’s central role in advancing the country’s clean energy transition. STELCO Managing Director Dr Ali Azwar stated that, as the principal electricity provider serving the capital city and a number of islands across the atolls, the company is fully aligned with the national vision to strengthen renewable energy generation and build a more sustainable energy future for the Maldives.
Dr Azwar described President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s decision to raise the share of renewable energy to 33 percent as a forward-looking and highly significant policy direction for the country. He noted that the target reflects a strong national commitment to sustainability, energy diversification, and long-term resilience, while also creating important opportunities to modernise the electricity sector in line with the Maldives’ development priorities.
As part of these efforts, STELCO is currently engaged in discussions with relevant government authorities on a major project planned under the Special Economic Zone, focusing on the Greater Malé region, which accounts for the highest concentration of electricity demand in the country. According to Dr Azwar, the proposed project is expected to make a substantial contribution to national renewable energy goals by supporting cleaner power generation in the area with the largest energy consumption. The initiative is also expected to enhance system efficiency and support the broader national strategy of integrating renewable energy into high-demand zones.
In addition to the planned project for the Malé area, STELCO is continuing its work to expand solar energy integration across power plants on the islands under its service network. This reflects the company’s broader strategy of strengthening renewable energy penetration beyond the capital and ensuring that island communities also benefit from cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. Among these efforts, Rakeedhoo in Vaavu Atoll has been identified as one of the most notable pilot projects, with plans aimed at generating the majority of the island’s electricity requirements through solar power. The initiative is expected to serve as an important model for future solar-based energy development in other inhabited islands.
STELCO has also confirmed that renewable energy projects are progressing in several islands under its service coverage through the Poise programme. These efforts are expected to support meaningful improvements in the Maldives’ energy system by reducing dependence on conventional fuel-based generation and promoting wider adoption of clean energy technologies. As implementation advances, such projects are likely to contribute to greater operational efficiency, lower long-term energy costs, and a more environmentally responsible power sector.
The Maldives has in recent years recorded encouraging progress in expanding renewable energy, particularly through solar power initiatives introduced across different parts of the country. This progress is being supported by a policy environment that prioritises reliable, sustainable, safe, and affordable energy supply. Through the Energy Act and the Energy Sector Roadmap, the government has established a clear framework to guide the country’s energy transition and support long-term sectoral development.
Private sector participation is also becoming an increasingly important component of the Maldives’ renewable energy journey. Investment in clean energy is helping the country progress toward its international climate commitments while also reinforcing domestic energy security and strengthening economic resilience. In this context, the role of institutions such as STELCO remains especially important, as the company continues to bridge national policy objectives with practical implementation on the ground.
With major projects under discussion, island-level solar initiatives moving forward, and policy support continuing to strengthen, the Maldives is positioning itself to make steady progress toward a more sustainable national energy mix. STELCO’s commitment to this transition reflects growing momentum within the country’s energy sector and highlights the importance of coordinated action in delivering a cleaner, more resilient, and future-ready electricity system for the people of the Maldives.
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