State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has revealed it has held discussions with the government to build power plants in Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu. The power plants will be built as part of the second phase of the Greater Male' Interconnection Project, stated STELCO.
The state-owned company completed the first phase of the Greater Male' Interconnection Project in July, which consisted of connecting the power grids in Male', Hulhumale' and Hulhule'. STELCO stated it has discussed completing the second phase of the interconnection project along with the development of the bridge to connect Male' City and Thilafushi.
In August, the government contracted India-based Afcons Infrastructure Limited for the development of the bridge under the Greater Male' Connectivity Project (GMCP). As part of the agreement, Afcons Infrastructure is tasked with bridging the link between Male' and Thilafushi.
The area is a 6.7 kilomtere sea crossing link from the southwest corner of Male', running adjacent to the south shore of Villingili, then along the southern periphery of the reclaimed island of Gulhifalhu and terminating on the reclaimed island of Thilafushi.
Speaking to PSM News, Managing Director Hassan Mughnee said STELCO will be able to connect the power plants in Thilafushi and Gulhifulhi with cables across the bridge.
STELCO has stated the aim of the Greater Male' Interconnection Project is to sustainably provide electricity service in the Greater Male' Region without interruptions. As such, the company said interconnection of the power grids would ensure that any problems encountered to the power grid of an individual region could be countered through the power grid of an interconnected region.