Fari Islands, a resort archipelago that houses the Ritz-Carlton Maldives and Patina Maldives, is tripling its solar capacity through a partnership with marine solar specialist Swimsol. The expansion will enable the four-island destination to meet 50% of its total energy requirements from renewable sources.
The project marks one of the largest solar installations in the region and introduces the archipelago’s first ocean-based floating solar system. Comprising 40 platforms and 2,160 photovoltaic panels, the marine array surrounds the islands’ staff campus and will contribute 24 per cent of the destination’s energy needs, adding 1,037 kWp to the grid. Once fully operational, the solar systems are expected to supply up to half of the islands’ energy demand on sunny days. While overall solar penetration will vary with weather conditions, the expansion represents a major step toward carbon neutrality for the resort community.
“Through our continued commitment to sustainability, we take another powerful step toward a healthier, more sustainable world with the completion of our solar installations,” said Anthony Gill, general manager of Patina Maldives. “With each renewable energy milestone, we are not only safeguarding the Maldives’ extraordinary beauty—we are setting a bold example of what’s possible when we unite for the well-being of our planet and its future.”
Mass timber is at the core of the Fari Islands’ net-zero strategy.
In 2023, Wood Central highlighted the project’s use of mass-engineered timber construction, which reduced carbon emissions by more than 6,000 tonnes during production and transportation. Unlike traditional Maldivian thatched roofs, the resort features flat-roof architecture designed to accommodate solar panels. All villas were prefabricated to minimise runoff into the marine ecosystem, and extensive off-site manufacturing made the project one of the largest hospitality developments globally to benefit from modern construction methods.
As a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel, mass timber offers greater efficiency in transport and assembly, resulting in a significantly lower carbon footprint. Additionally, 20,000 mature trees were transplanted from neighbouring islands that were being cleared for development, reinforcing the development’s commitment to ecological preservation.
Sourcing certified timber, however, presented a challenge due to the absence of a domestic timber industry in the Maldives. To overcome this, the development team partnered with Double Helix Tracking Technologies to trace the origin of the timber and ensure it was PEFC-certified. To do this, Double Helix employed DNA testing to verify the species and legality of the timber and collaborated with the Maldivian government to establish a national timber tracking system aimed at preventing illegal logging and promoting sustainable forestry practices.
“It was important for us to ensure that the timber we used was not only sustainably sourced but that it also helped support the local communities in the Maldives,” said Marco den Ouden, general manager of Patina Maldives. “By partnering with Double Helix, we achieved this goal and created a truly sustainable resort.”
As for the solar expansion, David Tsang, chief executive of developer Pontiac Land Group, described the new installation as “a significant milestone in our sustainability journey.” He added, “By embracing renewable energy, we are taking tangible steps to reduce our carbon footprint, advance our environmental goals, and support sustainability progress in the hospitality and tourism sectors.”
Swimsol, a pioneer in marine floating solar technology and the Maldives’ leading solar provider, is overseeing the technical implementation across all properties. The floating solar installation, which includes battery storage facilities, is scheduled for completion in the final quarter of 2025. Since opening in 2021, the Fari Islands community has continued to pursue its net-zero vision while maintaining world-class hospitality standards across its multi-brand destination, which includes guest resorts, staff accommodation, and educational facilities.
- To learn more about the Fari Islands project and why mass timber was instrumental in its push to become the first in Asia to achieve zero-carbon-ready certification, click here for Wood Central’s special feature.
