STELCO raises its flag in Fuvahmulah, taking on a power station stretched by demand

STELCO has formally taken over the electricity supply in Fuvahmulah City, the latest of the larger islands to move from Fenaka to the state utility. Managing Director Dr Ali Azwar led a team of senior officials to the city for the handover.

Two flags over the power station

The handover was marked with a flag-raising at the power station. Azwar raised the national flag, and Deputy Managing Director Aishath Muzna raised STELCO’s.

Azwar said bringing Fenaka’s services under STELCO, part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s plan to take the country’s utilities further, would be a major step forward for Fuvahmulah. He asked every employee to help bring the city’s supply up to STELCO’s standard.

The flag-raising·4 pictures

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Flag hoisting Ceremony at the formerly Fenaka Office in FuvahmulahSTELCOFlag hoisting Ceremony at the formerly Fenaka Office in FuvahmulahSTELCO

Flag hoisting Ceremony at the formerly Fenaka Office in FuvahmulahSTELCOFlag hoisting Ceremony at the formerly Fenaka Office in FuvahmulahSTELCO

Inside the engine house

The team toured the power station and checked its condition. They then sat down with the technical team to go through the problems residents face with the supply, and the quickest ways to fix them.

A station running close to its limit

Those problems go back years. In January 2024 a failed 800-kilowatt generator cut output to about 4,000 kW against a record load of 4,850 kW, and Fenaka rationed power by neighbourhood. A plan to bring in a generator from Gadhdhoo was dropped after residents there protested, and a set bought privately was installed that February.

By February this year the station’s nine generators had 8 megawatts installed, but only 6 MW in working order, against an expected Ramadan peak of 6.5 MW. Another 1.2 MW set was being fitted. A 20 MW powerhouse, to replace a plant that then gave 5.4 MW, was launched as a project in April 2021, and a 2 MW battery is being built in the station compound to work alongside 2 MW of solar.

One standard on every island

That evening Azwar met the staff who keep the city’s power running. He spoke of STELCO’s long and proud record of service, and asked them to keep service at one consistent standard, to match the company’s standards of work and conduct, and to follow its rules in full.

At the city office

The visit ended at STELCO’s Fuvahmulah office. The team reviewed its work, heard from staff about the difficulties of serving customers, and discussed how to resolve them.

At the STELCO office·3 pictures

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STELCO MD Azwar and Deputy MD Muzna visit and meet the staff at the the Power station office formerly operated by FenakaSTELCO on XSTELCO MD Azwar and Deputy MD Muzna visit and meet the staff at the the Power station office formerly operated by FenakaSTELCO on XSTELCO MD Azwar and Deputy MD Muzna visit and meet the staff at the the Power station office formerly operated by FenakaSTELCO on X

Where Fuvahmulah fits

The government announced on 7 September that Fenaka would be dissolved and its services moved to STELCO. STELCO took over Addu City’s electricity on 30 September and Kulhudhuffushi’s on 15 October. Fuvahmulah’s water and sewerage go to MWSC.