Energy Sector |
Raw energy supply to the Maldives is a major import item with a share of 13% of the total import bill of USD 475 million. Petroleum products are imported mostly to be transformed into electricity supply. All inhabited and resort islands plus a number of the uninhabited island used for agricultural and industrial purposes have one or more electricity generating units. The distribution of raw energy is a costly activity. To this extent, the cost of energy is a supply-side constraint to the competitiveness of the economy. Production and distribution is the responsibility of the State Electricity Company (STELCO). In many cases, ownership and responsibility for the production and distribution of electricity in the islands have been turned over to the communities. The same is the case for the resort islands.
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