China’s Dongfang Electric Corporation has been awarded the contract to upgrade the power supply to the connected islands of Addu City. Dongfang is a state-owned company which manufactures power generators and also specialises in power stations.
The company aims to address Addu’s power needs by upgrading the city’s power distribution system while also developing a 32-megawatt power plant.
The project, which will be carried out in two phases, will be financed by Donfang Electric with repayment over a 12-year period.
Fenaka Corporation’s Managing Director (MD) Muaz Mohamed Rasheed, during the project signing, said the power plant would feature modern facilities and that the project would address Addu’s energy needs for the next 20 to 25 years.
“The project will upgrade the [combined] capacity to 50 megawatts. When the connected islands and Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo are connected via the bridge, power will be supplied to both islands as well,” Rasheed said.
Mayor Ali Nizar had earlier said that if adequate efforts are not made to overcome the power shortages across the city, Addu City could face a major catastrophe in the coming days.
Addu City has been experiencing frequent power outages for some time.