Nolhivaranfaru plunged into darkness as generator sent by President Muizzu’s administration last year fails
The entire island of HDh. Nolhivaranfaru has experienced a total blackout following a technical failure of its main generator, forcing authorities to implement a rotational power shedding schedule across three zones. According to the Island Council, electricity is currently being distributed in 30-minute intervals using a backup 400kW generator. The malfunctioning unit, which was provided to the island by President Muizzu’s administration, has been in service for less than a year.
The main generator used for power generation at the Fenaka branch in Nolhivaranfaru has malfunctioned, resulting in a complete power outage across the island. | Fenaka | FENAKA
The entire island of Nolhivaranfaru in Haa Dhaalu Atoll has been plunged into a blackout following the failure of a generator installed last year by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.
The power outages in Nolhivaranfaru first began on Tuesday morning. Speaking to Raajje TV regarding the situation, Council President Abdulla Nadeem stated that the initial disruption was caused by a faulty DC module in the control panel. He further noted that while the issue first occurred on Tuesday morning, repairs were made to the panel, and electricity was successfully restored to the entire island by around noon that day.
However, a fault in the dynamo of the 800 kW generator has resulted in a complete island-wide power outage. This generator was commissioned to the island in April last year. Nadeem stated that following the breakdown of the 800 kW unit, electricity is currently being supplied using a 400 kW generator. Nadeem further explained that full power restoration to the entire island is only possible once the 800 kW generator is repaired, noting that there are no other immediate alternatives to resolve the situation.
Electricity is currently being supplied across three zones of the island using a 400 kW generator, with power provided to each area on a 30-minute rotational basis. Under this arrangement, electricity is disconnected from one zone every 30 minutes and redirected to the next.
The Fenaka powerhouse in Nolhivaranfaru operates with three generators. In addition to the 800-kilowatt unit currently experiencing technical issues, the facility houses 600-kilowatt and 400-kilowatt generators. However, the 600-kilowatt generator has been out of service for an extended period. Nadeem stated that electricity has been supplied to the health center without interruption whenever the 400-kilowatt generator is operational.
Nadeem stated that despite the increase in electricity consumption due to population growth, the Fenaka branch in Nolhivaranfaru lacks a backup generator. He noted that the current situation requires two 1-megawatt generators; however, requests made to both the previous and current administrations have yet to receive a satisfactory response.
Nadeem emphasized the need for public cooperation at this time, urging residents to minimize electricity consumption during power-on periods to reduce the load. He also extended an apology to the public on behalf of both Fenaka and the Council.
