Maldives explores wave energy to boost country’s renewables targets

Maldives’ State Electric Company (STELCO) has started a wave monitoring project to explore ocean wave energy potential in the Maldives.

According to Hussain Fahmy, the Managing Director of STELCO, this project is a step toward meeting the country’s 33% renewable energy goal. The project is said to represent a strategic move to diversify the Maldives’ energy sources beyond solar, enhancing the resilience and stability of its renewable energy infrastructure.

The project centers on deploying advanced wave monitoring technology to gather critical data on wave dynamics, with the goal of determining wave energy’s viability as a renewable source. 

“Wave energy offers several advantages, including a more consistent energy supply, as ocean waves are less affected by weather conditions than solar power,” said Fahmy.

By integrating wave energy alongside solar, STELCO aims to fortify the country’s power supply with a renewable source more consistent than solar, which is heavily weather-dependent. 

Fahmy added: “This endeavor underscores Stelco’s commitment to innovation and aligns with the Maldives’ vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future, supporting the nation in reaching its ambitious renewable energy goals.”

A recent study suggests that wave energy could match the cost-efficiency of offshore wind by the 2030s in favorable locations. This could be an important development for densely populated or onshore-constrained regions as they look to reduce dependence on energy imports.