Maldives to build wind power plant to become carbon neutral

Nov 05, 2009 (LBO) - The state power utility of the Indian Ocean atoll state of Maldives has signed a 20-year deal with Falcon Energy, a private firm to build and operate a 75MegaWatt wind farm as part of a plan to become a carbon neutral nation. The wind farm built a cost of 200 million US dollars will be in the Gaafaru island in North Male atoll and will supply power to the capital Male, the international airport at Hulhule island and nearby resorts, through submarine cables.

The Maldives’ State Electric Company Limited, STELCO, runs a network in the capital with 38.76MW of capacity, 26 kilometers of underground cables supplying power to 25,000 customers.

The plan was unveiled on Monday 2 November at a ceremony attended by Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and representatives from GE Energy, Falcon Energy and STELCO, at the STELCO head office in Male’.

Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed says the plant will reduce dependence on oil and move underlined "environmental consciousness and financial prudence" of the atoll state.

In March, Maldives announced that it wants to be carbon neutral in 10 years.

"We want the Maldives to be the place to test renewables. We want the Maldives to be the place to build renewables,"