Kulhudhuffushi is nearing completion of a landmark renewable energy initiative that will power its municipal water services entirely through solar energy. Managing Director of Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), Abdul Matheen, confirmed that final operations are scheduled to commence by the end of next month, marking a significant milestone in sustainable utility management in the atolls.
The project was formalised in June last year through an agreement between MWSC and Japan’s Kanadevia Corporation. It centres on the development of a solar-powered desalination facility aimed at strengthening water security while reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
Once operational, the reverse osmosis plant will produce 500 cubic metres of fresh water per day. The facility is currently in its commissioning phase. Installation of the core battery systems for the solar grid has been completed, while the deployment of solar panels is ongoing.
The project integrates a dedicated 500-kilowatt solar energy generation system, supported by a 1,450-kilowatt battery storage network to ensure uninterrupted daily operations and long-term system resilience.
Abdul Matheen highlighted the broader national significance of the initiative, describing it as MWSC’s first renewable energy-powered municipal water production project across the atolls. He noted that the model is scalable and well-suited to smaller island communities, with plans to facilitate expansion to other municipalities.
The financing structure combines domestic and international contributions. MWSC is covering 46 percent of the total project cost through internal cash flow and green financing instruments provided by the Bank of Maldives (BML). The remaining funding is supported by the Government of Japan and Kanadevia Corporation.
MWSC officials have described the initiative as a replicable framework for sustainable infrastructure development across the Maldives, enabling island communities to reduce environmental impact while securing reliable and renewable water production systems.