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Plans underway to distribute solar panel installations among households: Env Minister

Environment Minister Thorig Ibrahim has stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the equitable distribution of solar panel installations among households. The minister made the remark in response to a question raised by Kanditheemu MP Ameen Faisal during Monday's Parliament sitting.

In his question, the MP highlighted that up to 43 percent of Kanditheemu island's energy needs are currently met by solar panels. However, he raised concerns about some households not being given the opportunity to install solar panels despite their wish to do so. He asked whether the government is considering allocating the 60 percent reserved for the domestic category equally among all households on the island.

In his response, the minister confirmed that discussions are underway on distributing the domestic solar energy capacity equally across households.

"That is also being considered now. We are assessing how the percentage can be divided among households on the island," he said.

Thorig said solar panel installations are restricted to a certain number due to the possibility of a sudden decline in solar power generation as a result of climate change. While this could lead to power outages throughout the island, the minister said the issue could be solved by expanding the energy grid and enhancing battery storage systems on the island.