China provides a grant for Micro-Grid Seawater Desalination Project to Maldives

Project narrative

On December 7, 2017, China and the Maldives signed an exchange of letters for the China-Aid-Micro-Grid Seawater Desalination Project, according to the Maldives President's Office. Since at least March 2016, the Maldivian government and Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co., Ltd., had been discussing this project. In 2017, Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Equipment self-developed a containerized smart micro-grid desalination system independently developed by China that does not rely on the power grid, instead using wind, solar and other clean energy to generate drinkable water. In 2018, the complete seawater desalination equipment saves and recycles energy, greatly reducing the cost of seawater desalination. In August 2020, Zhang Lizhong, the Chinese ambassador to the Maldives, and Mohamed Aslam, the Minister of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure of the Maldives signed an implementation contract for the project. Five sets of plants were to be sold to the Maldives. Each 48.441 kW plant was to be located on a different island. The five islands were K. Kaashidhoo, Lh.Kurendhoo, R.Alifushi, Ha.Kelaa, and Ga.Dhaandhoom. The plants will benefit more than 8,000 residents of related islands.