Maldives' renewable energy boost lauded

A renewable energy initiative recently introduced by the Maldives will help advance the island nation's efforts to transition to clean power and aid the cause of climate action, experts say.

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu announced on Feb 6 that a floating solar project will begin in 2027, and the government has begun issuing Special Economic Zone permits for the project to foreign investors.

This floating solar farm aims to reduce the country's reliance on nonrenewable energy sources and add 100 megawatts of solar power to its power grid, Muizzu said, adding his administration plans to meet 33 percent of the country's energy needs from renewable sources.

In addition, the government has launched the "Magey Solar" initiative to boost citizen participation in the renewable energy sector, allowing locals to benefit from cleaner energy generation.

"It's marvelous that a small island country is committed to addressing climate change, particularly through the intensification of renewable energy usage," said Lawrence Loh, director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore's Business School.

Anjal Prakash, an associate professor and research director with the Bharti Institute of Public Policy at the Indian School of Business in India, said the ambitious floating solar project marks a significant shift toward renewable energy.

"President Muizzu's plan to add 100 MW to the grid aligns with sustainability goals, reducing fossil fuel dependence," Prakash said, adding that the "Magey Solar" initiative empowers citizens, making clean energy a national priority.

The Maldives actively advocates for global climate action, utilizing renewable energy projects to reduce carbon footprint, he said. Without urgent mitigation, the island nation risks becoming uninhabitable within decades, making it a front-line victim of climate change, he added.

Plato Yip Kwong-to, chairperson of the nonprofit Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong), said Muizzu's announcement is a commendable step toward energy sustainability and climate resilience.

"It demonstrates a forward-thinking approach, leveraging innovative solutions to address the challenges of limited land availability and heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels," Yip said.

This shift will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance energy security for the Maldives, he said.

Existential threat

The initiatives come as this low-lying country in the Indian Ocean is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with global warming pushing up sea levels and posing an existential threat.

As the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement weakens global climate mitigation efforts, small island states such as the Maldives must step up on their own to protect their future, experts said.

However, even as the Maldives tries its best to fight the effects of climate change, there is a limit to what difference it can make, Loh of the National University of Singapore said, as he slammed the US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord as a disastrous action.

"It's a pity that a large country like the US has shirked its global responsibility for climate action," he said.

Prakash of the Bharti Institute of Public Policy said the US exit from climate treaties "weakens global efforts to curb emissions, accelerating sea-level rise and extreme weather that threaten the Maldives".

"Reduced financial and technological support for climate adaptation could hinder the nation's resilience. A lack of global commitment increases the risk of the Maldives becoming uninhabitable sooner," he said.

The Maldives and other island nations are on the front lines of the climate crisis, facing rising sea levels, coastal erosion and flooding. These nations rely on strong global commitments to combat climate change.

"When the US exited the Paris Agreement, it weakened international momentum and funding for climate action, which directly impacts vulnerable island states," said Yip of Friends of the Earth.

"Washington often emphasizes the importance of a rules-based world order, yet the actions of the current administration appear to contradict this principle."

As the world's lowest-lying country and with an average elevation of just 1.5 meters, the Maldives is highly vulnerable to submersion, Prakash said.

Saltwater intrusion threatens freshwater sources, while coral reef degradation affects marine biodiversity and fisheries. Frequent storms and unpredictable monsoons disrupt tourism and livelihoods.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com