New Generator Purchase Set to Resolve Addu’s Power Crisis by August: Minister Thoriq

Addu City to See Relief from Power Shortages as New Generator Arrives

Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Ibrahim Thoriq, announced that Addu City will soon receive a new generator, addressing ongoing power failures across its connected islands. The Minister assured that by August, power issues in the southernmost atoll of the Maldives will be effectively resolved.

During a parliamentary session today, Minister Thoriq responded to a query from a lawmaker, attributing the current power crisis to the deteriorating condition of Addu City’s Central Power Station. He criticized the previous administration under the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for neglecting the power station, claiming they failed to acquire necessary additional generators and maintain the existing ones properly.

Minister Thoriq explained that the power demand in Addu City peaks at 12 megawatts. Hithadhoo, the main administrative district, has 30 generators with a combined capacity of 26.8 megawatts. However, due to the malfunction of five generators, only 14 megawatts are currently being produced, leading to frequent power interruptions.

To address these issues, the current administration has procured a new 1.5-megawatt generator, which is expected to be installed within the next month. Additionally, spare parts for three more generators have been acquired and will be operational by then.

The Minister also noted plans to overhaul two malfunctioning 2-megawatt generators, which will be back in service later this year. This move is part of a short-term solution to mitigate the ongoing power problems in Addu.

The power shortage issue in Addu prompted an emergency motion in Parliament last week, with members from both opposition and ruling parties agreeing on the urgency of the matter.