Environment Ministry is seeking investors to install solar systems in 13 islands across Maldives under the Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration and Sustainable Energy (ARISE) project.

The project is being conducted under World Bank aid.

The ARISE project aims to increase the proportion of renewable energy consumed in the maldives, install battery energy storage systems that can store electricity generated from renewable energy, and modernize the electricity sectors in rural areas.

According to the Environment Ministry, solar systems will be installed in 36 islands of the country and 40 MW of battery energy storage systems will be installed, besides upgrading and modernising power lines in 19 islands across the country.

According to an announcement made to attract investors to install solar in thirteen islands, 15 MW of solar will be installed under the project, which will be installed in two parts, in the first part, two MWs will be installed in six islands of L. Atoll, and in the second part, 13 MW of solar will be installed in seven islands of four atolls.

The 2MW solar systems will be installed in L. Hithadhoo, Kunahandhoo, Maibaidhoo, Maamendhoo, Maavah and Dhanbidhoo while 13MW solar systems will be installed in L. Isdhoo, Kalaidhoo, Fonadhoo, Gan, Lh. Naifaru, GA. Vilingili, and B. Fonadhoo.

According to the Environment Ministry, under this project, the capital required to install the solar PV system will be spent, the system will be maintained for a period of 20 years and power generated from it will be generated by the winner of the project's bid.

The Ministry said that the contractor will be selected through a competitive bidding process by conducting evaluation of the bids and measuring their technical and financial capabilities and offering the lowest rate for the sale of power generated by the installed solar PV systems to the state.

The deadline for submission of bids for the project is October 22 and the pre-bid meeting of the project will be held online on August 12.