Addu Waste-to-Energy Plant to Begin Operations in 2028 After Infrastructure Upgrades

The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy has announced that the waste-to-energy plant in Addu City is slated to become operational by mid-2028. While the primary structure of the facility is complete, additional infrastructure is required to ensure the plant can function as a comprehensive regional waste management hub. Speaking to PSM News, Deputy Minister Ahmed Nizam explained that although the incineration plant was structurally finished in 2023, it cannot yet operate in isolation. The facility requires a fully integrated system, including a dedicated landfill and a waste sorting facility, to handle the logistics of waste processing. These critical components are currently under development with financial backing from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. Once fully operational, the plant will have the capacity to process 50 tonnes of waste daily, converting it into 1.5 megawatts of electricity. The project represents a significant step in the government's strategy to implement regional waste solutions to alleviate the long-term environmental challenges faced by the Maldives' dispersed islands. The facility was constructed at a cost of USD 16 million, funded through the Maldives Green Fund. By utilizing incineration to generate power, the plant aims to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills while contributing to the local energy grid. To ensure sustainable management, the government intends to operate the plant through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). However, the Ministry noted that the transition to a private operator is contingent upon the completion of several legal and regulatory procedures. Consequently, a definitive date for the handover of operations has not yet been established. This project is part of a broader national effort to modernize waste management and transition toward a circular economy, reducing the reliance on traditional dumping methods in the sensitive marine environment of the southern atolls.