The path to carbon neutrality

For anyone following the Maldives’ shift to renewable energies, it is worth taking a look at Chris Goodall’s plan, detailed here on his blog since March.

Chris Goodall is a well-known climate change author who visited the Maldives early this year to advise the Maldivian president on the feasibility of swapping oil imports for greener energy sources. The Maldives announced in March its plan to become the world’s first carbon neutral country as an example to others.

The tiny nation made the first step last week by announcing a deal with General Electric to build a 75 mW windfarm (see my last posting). This project aims to cut carbon emissions by 25 per cent, according to Chris Goodall.

However, Falcon Energy, who is overseeing the windfarm project, said they had not yet decided whether to build the farm on-shore or off-shore. The problem is that if they do it on the reef, there will be inevitable environmental damage.

Mark Lynas, another Oxford-based environmentalist who was also involved with the carbon neutrality plan, says he is going to be looking into whether there will be damage to the reef during his current visit to the Maldives. On Sunday he was appointed as climate change advisor to President Nasheed.

Danny Boutin from Falcon Energy claims there will only be minimal damage. But it is worth asking: is it cheaper to build on the reef? And if it is more environmentally-friendly to put the turbines in the sea then is that not a better option, whatever the cost? The company have still to do a full feasibility study when these answers should become clear, but we should not forget to ask them.

The second step is to build a windfarm in the South of Maldives to provide energy to the Southernmost Addu atoll. An MoU has just been signed for a feasibility study for the 25 mW farm.

President Nasheed is confident this will cut down carbon emissions significantly, but the plans for the rest of the country remain unclear. When I was in the Maldives last month, Nasheed told me he wanted to explore solar and wind power options.

But, with the more populated areas like Male’ and Addu, it is easier. With an economy of scale, you can connect a grid and the project is feasible and cost-effective. But, now comes the harder part: for these smaller island communities currently relying on diesel generators, what is the solution? Individual PV panels?

Overall the plan is projected to cost just over $1 billion, but the country will save from expensive oil imports, meaning it can be viable. Let’s hope so.