Promote energy conservation and energy efficiency (Policy no. 3, Maldives National Energy Policy and Strategy 2010)

Country / jurisdiction: Maldives · Year: 2010 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

Background: Greater efficiency and conservation of energy will benefit the country through a reduction in energy imports which directly translates into savings for the counrty's foreign exchange reserves, reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels, increased energy security and reducing GHG emissions. On the supply side, measures are needed to increase efficiency particularly in the production and distribution of electricity. Conservation efficiencies in some islands are low and in others distribution losses caused by poorly designed and maintained systems are high. Reducing these variations through regulatory intervention will conserve more energy. On the demand side, the level of awareness, our lifestyles and outlook need to be encouraged towards placing a greater importance on energy conservation and wise consumption of resources. For example, in Male' region which accounts for approximately 62% of the total power generated for all inhabited islands of the country, households consume approximately 62% of the total power generated for all inhabited islands in the country. Households consume approximately the same amount of electricity as public, government, manufacturing and commercial sectors combined. 75% of the household electricity usage is attributed to air-conditioning of homes.

Strategies:

1. Implement advocacy and awareness programs to foster healthier and greener attitudes and behaviour in our society. 2. Encourage energy efficiency in both the supply side and demand side through financial and other incentives/disincentives in respect of energy end-use and mandatory measures such as appliance energy labelling, building codes and energy audits. 3. Engage and facilitate private sector participation in providing expertise and specialized services needed to increase energy efficiencies across sectors. 4. Carry out awareness programs on energy efficiency and conservation as a priority and on a sustainable basis. 5. Introduce incentives to encourage greater use of electric vehicles and vessels by establishing charging stations using renewable energy sources. 6. Encourage utilization of waste heat from power generation for other applications (e.g. water heating, air conditioning, desalination)

Achievement: Energy audits have been conducted in some of the public and local buildings by the initiative of Ministry of Environment and Energy. Also, utility companies carry out power system audits regularly. Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure has developed a building code, however there is no compliance document to make it effective. Maldives Energy Authority is working on labelling regulations for EE products. No obligatory or mandatory requirements regarding energy efficiency are yet in place although a policy vision is clearly set. Information about EE is being provided to the public to some extent through some programs and events. Government has initiated national level energy efficient lighting programs. To support this, Maldives has joined in the en.lighten initiative program by UNEP in 27th October 2013. Also, in 2013, 200 LED harbour lights were installed in 5 regions of Maldives to replace the existing sodium lights. Moreover, energy efficient LED tube lights have been distributed to government buildings and to use as street lights. This program will be extended to cover households and private offices.

Stakeholders: The lead agency for the energy secor is the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE). There is a separate regulatory body called the Maldives Energy Authority (MEA). Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure (MHI) develops the building code. The electricity service providers are two state owned companies namely State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) and FENAKA.

Official source: http://www.environment.gov.mv/v1/