A four-island archipelago in the Maldives is to expand its solar power developments to provide clean energy for half of its requirements this year. 2025 will see the destination bringing the total solar capacity at Fari Islands to 6.4MWp.
The state-owned Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation said that once fully implemented, the solar systems have the potential to supply up to 50% of the islands’ energy demand on sunny days, with overall solar penetration expected to be slightly below 50% when accounting for varying weather conditions.
Since inception in 2021, the Fari Islands development by Singapore-based property developer Pontiac Land Group has been anchored in sustainable architecture and design.
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“In its fruition, as the largest hospitality project globally to benefit from the extensive use of offsite manufacturing technology known as ‘Mass Engineered Timber’, the destination was able to reduce carbon emissions by over 6,000 tons after production and transportation.
“All villas were prefabricated, to ensure minimal run off into the marine ecosystem, and in a departure from the conventional thatched roof structures of the Maldives, villas and amenities were designed with flat roofs, allowing solar panels to be easily mounted. The Fari Islands community continues its trajectory to minimise environmental impact across all operations,” said the Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation.
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Solar build-out in Maldives
To better harness the full potential of solar energy, 2025 will see the completion of the following installations at Fari Islands:
- The first floating solar system to be installed in the ocean surrounding the archipelago’s Fari Campus. The installation comprises of 40 platforms and 2,160 PV panels. It will provide 24% of the islands’ total energy requirements alone, adding 1,037kWp to the grid. The project is scheduled for completion, including the battery house, in the last quarter of 2025.
- Fari Campus, the destination’s innovative hub for island staff, comprising accommodation with a focus on community, education and engagement has also enhanced its land-based PV installations totalling 1,200 kWp across 19 residential and community buildings.
- The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands added solar roof coverage across its 61 Ocean Villas in September 2024, then added all back-of-house, Beach Shack restaurant and Dive Centre, increasing the total solar capacity to 983kWp. In 2024, the property achieved two key environmental recognitions, including the 2024 Green Globe Certification for its unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and responsible hospitality, along with the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge, awarded to properties that uphold over 100 stringent standards designed to protect the environment and support the well-being of employees, guests and local communities.
Renewable energy drives sustainability in Maldives
David Tsang, Chief Executive Officer of Pontiac Land Group, said: “This renewable energy expansion represents a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. By embracing renewable energy, we are taking tangible steps to reduce our carbon footprint, advance our environmental goals and support sustainability progress in the hospitality and tourism sectors.”
Also, Patina Maldives is set to mark a crucial milestone in its journey towards sustainable energy in 2025, enabling the property to rely solely on solar energy during daylight hours, with a total of 2,994kWp of solar panels in operation.
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980kWp of panels are situated on a land bank on the East of the island, with a further 2,014kWp installed on the rooftops of all of the resort’s beach villas and F&B outlets, as well as the spa, dive centre, Portico, kids club and back-of-house buildings. 2MWh of extra battery capacity are also incorporated.
Anthony Gill, General Manager of Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, said: “With each renewable energy milestone, we are not only safeguarding the Maldives’ extraordinary beauty – we are setting a bold example of what’s possible when we unite for the well-being of our planet and its future.”
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