State Electric Company (STELCO) has expressed concerns over Male’ City Council’s non-cooperation.
According to the utility provider, it has requested the council to provide them with land to install electricity transformers for three substations. The council, however, has not responded to STELCO’s multiple requests.
STELCO is seeking to add transformers to the substations in the empty plot in Sinamale’ 2, the parking zone in front of Majeediya School, and the parking zone in front of the ‘Viyafaariveringe’ Mosque.
The utility provider has also claimed the 630 kV transformer at Sinamale’ 2 plot is already malfunctioning with overload issues. STELCO said they were required to transfer power from the faulty transformer to others.
STELCO formally requested for an additional land from Sinamale’ 2 area on 2nd May 2021 by letter. However, the council had not provided a response till date.
Meanwhile, the transformer installed at the parking zone in front of ‘Viyafaariveringe’ Mosque is 81% utilized, requiring for additional transformers to distribute power. STELCO required for additional land from the plot earlier on 13th September 2021; which too was not responded.
The transformer stationed at the parking zone in front of Majeedhiya School is currently 73% utilized and required additional transformers splitting power as well. The utility provider had requested additional land from the plot earlier on 23rd May 2021, which too had not been responded by the council.
STELCO had impressed the importance of adding transformers to the substations. It had on each of the letters sent to the council authority, stated the difficulties residents living in those areas will likely face in a scenario where the transformer usage maxes out.
The utility provider also notes that the Maldives will experience hot season in the coming months, while the community will welcome Islamic sacred month of Ramadan by late March; instances where electricity usage tends to exceed normal consumption rates since residents will be using more household appliances to prepare food for iftar or suhoor.