The South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) Maldives was officially launched today at an event in Malé. SAREP is the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) flagship clean energy program in the South Asia region.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Gabriel Grau, Mission Director for USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives, followed by an overview of USAID SAREP presented through a short video.
A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USAID and the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy. The MOU was signed by Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, H.E. Thoriq Ibrahim, representing the Ministry. Dr. Alexandria Huerta, Acting Mission Director of USAID/India & Bhutan, and Mr. Gabriel Grau, Mission Director for USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives, signed on behalf of USAID in the presence of Mr. Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia at USAID.
Following the MOU signing, the Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, H.E. Thoriq Ibrahim, delivered the inaugural address, highlighting the Maldives’ commitment to enhancing energy efficiency and integrating advanced energy solutions. He expressed gratitude for the support from USAID and underscored the importance of such partnerships in addressing the unique energy challenges faced by small island nations.
Mr. Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia at USAID, then delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the critical role of regional collaboration in achieving energy sustainability.
In her closing remarks of the launching ceremony, Dr. Alexandria Huerta, Acting Mission Director for USAID/India & Bhutan, emphasized the anticipated impact of SAREP on enhancing energy access and reliability in the Maldives and across the region.
The launch was followed by technical sessions to discuss the planned activities under the SAREP Maldives. These activities include support to develop regulations to improve the existing regulatory environment, demand forecasting, the smart meter roll-out roadmap, and strengthening and expanding the Maldives standards and labelling program. The additional appliances to be covered under the expansion include water pumps, water heaters, and fans. Additionally, a guidebook for energy management in schools will be developed. Capacity-building initiatives will also be implemented to ensure stakeholders are well-equipped to support these efforts.
Representatives from various ministries and organizations, including the Utility Regulatory Authority, STELCO, FENAKA, Maldives Customs Service, HDC and Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MNACI) participated in the event.
SAREP aims to support the priorities and targets in improving access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy and share best practices and lessons learned among South Asia countries. The SAREP interventions focus on regional energy market integration, advanced energy solutions and systems, utility modernization, investment mobilization, and best value procurement.