Maldives Wants 40 MW/40 MWh Energy Storage Capacity

The Ministry of Finance in the island nation of Maldives has sought to contract companies that can install and operate 40 MW/40 MWh battery energy storage systems (BESS) under a World Bank funded Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration and Sustainable Energy Project (ARISE). In February 2020, Maldives issued a tender for 21 MW grid tied floating solar and land based solar capacity development with World Bank support (see 21 MW Grid-Tied Solar PV Tendered In Maldives).

Part of the proceeds from this project will be used to fund the BESS project that will come up on select islands of the country. The Finance Ministry has launched the tender on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology.

Capacity to be established will be divided as 24 MW/24 MWh to be installed commissioned, operated and transferred on locations identified as S. Hithadhoo, S. Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo, Gn. Fuvahmulah, GDh. Thinadhoo, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, B. Eydhafushi and Lh. Hinnavaru.

Remaining 16 MW/16 MWh of BESS will be located at L. Atoll Islands, Lh. Naifaru, Dh. Kudahuvadhoo, GA. Villingili and Sh. Funadhoo.

Last date to submit pre-qualification application is September 2, 2021. Interested applicants will register with the Finance Ministry by August 26, 2021. Shortlisted bidders will enter request for bids round to be launched in November 2021, according to the tender documents launched on June 10, 2021.

“The objective of this tender is to prequalify contractors for delivering turnkey (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning) BESS and EMS to enable effective operation of solar PV diesel hybrid systems in selected island grids,” reads the prequalification document.

This capacity will support 11 MW of solar PV capacity on 7 islands, 10 MW floating solar in Addu city and another 11 MW to 14 MW land based solar on 14 islands.

Maldives has been exploring hybrid power system installations on 48 islands with support from Asian Development Bank (see Maldives Turning To Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems).

The country’s installed solar PV capacity has grown from 1.64 MW in 2009 to 21.52 MW in 2019. It aims for renewable energy share to increase to 70% of the national energy mix by 2030, up from current 4%.