STELCO Begins Nationwide Surveys to Integrate Utility Services After Fenaka Dissolution

State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has launched a comprehensive survey of islands across the Maldives as it prepares to take over utility services nationwide. The move follows a government decision to dissolve the Fenaka Corporation Limited, which previously managed utility services across the archipelago. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the dissolution of Fenaka on September 7, signaling a strategic shift to centralize utility management under STELCO. To ensure a seamless transition, STELCO teams are currently conducting on-site assessments to evaluate the condition of infrastructure and service delivery on islands newly entering its jurisdiction. Current operations are focused on critical hubs, including Addu City and Thinadhoo City. According to the administration, the decision to merge these operations is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the governance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). The government highlighted that previous administrations had overseen excessive recruitment within these companies, leading to inflated operational costs and systemic inefficiency. By restructuring and consolidating services under STELCO, the government aims to optimize staffing levels and reduce unnecessary expenditure, thereby enhancing the overall operational stability of the nation's energy and water sectors. This transition marks a significant expansion for STELCO, which already manages electricity services in the densely populated Greater Malé Area and had previously been entrusted with utility services in four other atolls. The nationwide rollout is expected to streamline the delivery of essential services to remote island communities while improving the financial sustainability of the state's utility framework.