Why is electricity so expensive in the Maldives?

Reliance on imported diesel for power generation, the lack of economies of scale, and poor quality of infrastructure have resulted in a high cost of electricity in the Maldives. Maldives has a target to reach net-zero emissions by the year 2030 with international support.

Does the Maldives have electricity?

The Maldives has succeeded in bringing electricity to even the most isolated atolls, resulting in 100% electricity connectivity in the archipelago – but also, tragically, near-complete reliance on diesel fuel to run the generators.

How is the World Bank helping the Maldives achieve net-zero?

The World Bank has been helping the Maldives transition to clean energy and achieve its 2030 net-zero target. The recent signing of an 11-megawatt solar project will see private energy investments deployed in six population centers across the archipelago.

Can aspire help reduce fossil fuel subsidies in the Maldives?

" ASPIRE showcases that there is an opportunity to reduce fossil fuel subsidies, reduce the fiscal deficit burden on the government, and present a clear business case for renewable energy projects in the Maldives," said Simon Stolp, Practice Manager for Energy in South Asia at the World Bank.

What can aspire and rise do for the Maldives?

While this 11-megawatt project will help usher in innovations in solar and storage for the Maldives, ASPIRE and ARISE will move on to a new phase where the potential for offshore wind, tidal energy, hydrogen fuel cell, and electric vehicles (EVs) will be explored.

How can the Maldives meet its 2030 net-zero target?

The Maldives has received assistance from the World Bank through two projects to meet its ambitious 2030 net-zero target: the Accelerating Sustainable Private Investment in Renewable Energy (ASPIRE) project, which began in 2014, and the Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration and Sustainable Energy (ARISE) project, which was signed in 2021.