The Maldives government has unveiled plans to initiate a wind energy project in Manadhoo, located in Noonu Atoll, as part of its commitment to sustainable development. The Ministry of Finance is currently inviting interested parties to participate in the project, which encompasses various stages including a pre-development study, system design, supply, installation, and ongoing maintenance of a pilot wind renewable energy system.
This initiative is made possible through funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Accelerating Sustainable System Development Using Renewable Energy Project (ASSURE). The Ministry of Finance has confirmed that an open competitive bidding process will be carried out, adhering to ADB’s Single Stage Two-Envelope bidding procedure. This opportunity is available to bidders from eligible countries as outlined in the bidding documents.
Prospective bidders are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee of USD 100, which can be processed through the ministry’s online payment portal, Ban’deyri Pay. To facilitate the bidding process, a pre-bid meeting will be held online at 11:00 AM on January 8, 2025, and bids will be opened shortly after the submission deadline at 1:00 PM on February 10, 2025, in the presence of bidder representatives.
The agreement for the ASSURE project, valued at USD 75.5 million, was signed in December 2023 between the Maldives and the ADB. The project encompasses several key objectives, including the installation of 20 megawatts (MW) of solar power systems across 20 islands through power purchasing agreements. Additionally, a 44 MW solar battery energy storage system will be implemented to improve grid stability in the targeted areas.
As part of the broader initiative, the wind energy system is set to be installed on one island, alongside a pilot seawater power generation system on another. The first phase of the My Solar Programme will focus on acquiring 3 MW of solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems while also launching a community irrigation system and a farming development programme on a designated island to harness solar energy for electricity generation.
These renewable energy initiatives are projected to collectively save around 10 million litres of diesel annually and decrease emissions by approximately 26,000 tonnes of harmful gases each year, significantly contributing to the Maldives’ sustainability goals.
