The government must encourage research to explore sustainable methods for generating the nation's energy needs through renewable and solar power, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated.

Speaking on the President's Office program "The Pulse" last night, the President stated that solar energy can be generated with ease in the Maldives, leading the government to set a target of fulfilling 33 percent of the country’s energy demand through solar power by 2028.

However, he emphasized that efforts should not be confined solely to solar energy, affirming that other renewable energy sectors will also be prioritized.

"We need to start encouraging research in the Maldives. Research needs to be conducted, both at the university level and through international universities visiting the Maldives, especially toward sustainable development, particularly in renewable energy. When explored, the possibilities will become clear. The Maldives is 99 percent ocean. By utilizing the ocean and using the sea, we should be able to generate all the energy we need," the President said.

The President noted that island electrical grids are not yet fully completed. He mentioned that the government has installed air conditioning in island schools and decided to place solar panels on school rooftops to generate the power required for these AC units.

In addition, in connection with National Engineers' Day marked yesterday, the President noted that the government intends to construct a building equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities to conduct testing and research across various engineering disciplines in the coming days.

"Accordingly, in the coming days, we intend to construct a building equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities capable of conducting testing and diverse research across various engineering fields. The government plans to establish a high-standard facility that allows all students wishing to study and advance in these fields to conduct experiments in civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics, software engineering, aircraft and aeronautical engineering, robotics, AI, and digital engineering, while also offering opportunities for international researchers to visit the Maldives and conduct research," President Dr. Muizzu said.

The President stated that the government will carry out the necessary technical groundwork and investment mobilization for the initiative, ensuring it is executed sustainably without burdening the state budget.