Solar panels installed on the Sinamale’ bridge highway between Male’ and Hulhumale’ will be removed, President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said.
In a meeting with residents of Hulhumale’ phase one on Saturday evening, Muizzu said the solar panels have obstructed the pleasant view of the bridge area.
Renewable energy is important but the project was not undertaken properly, Muizzu said. As the President-Elect, he said he intends to relocate the panels to an inhabited island.
“To some other island of the Maldives, or to two islands. I think about two islands could be changed entirely to renewable energy from those panels. So changing two islands entirely would be a much better use of it,” he said.
An investigation was recently conducted after some solar panels were blown off by strong winds.
The project was carried out by the Environment Ministry with funding from the World Bank.
Upon completion, the solar panels could generate 7.3 million units of electricity annually and save between MVR 15 to MVR 20 million spent on fuel imports, according to the Environment Ministry.
Muizzu went on to say that he would fulfill the campaign pledge of bringing all municipal services of Hulhumale’ under the Male’ city council within the first 100 days of his government.
Launching the Fushidhiggaru reclamation project within the first two months would also be a priority, he said.
Land plots and flats awarded by the current administration close to the presidential election would not be taken back and applications submitted to the second round of the housing scheme would not be canceled, Muizzu assured.
“We won’t act in the manner that this government did. We will be more compassionate than that to the public,” Muizzu said.
The development of Hulhumale’ will be carried out under a sound plan towards ensuring a pleasant island, he said, adding that new parking buildings will be established throughout all the phases.
