Fossil fuels are one of the contributors, if not the biggest cause of climate change. Like many countries committed to fighting this global challenge, the Solomon Islands is taking action. It is focused on reducing its reliance on imported diesel while bolstering economic resilience. The Tina River Hydropower Project is a transformative initiative, that aims to reshape the energy landscape of the Solomon Islands. The project officially started construction on Nov. 5, 2024.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) joined Solomon Islands project partners to launch the Tina River main dam structure’s construction officially. 

Jeremiah Manele, the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, led the commissioning ceremony. The World Bank Country Director for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands Stephen Ndegwa, Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rod Hilton, ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez, and other high-ranking government officials joined him. Additionally, representatives from Korea Water Resources Corporation, Hyundai Engineering Corporation Limited, and Tina Hydropower Limited were present.

Power of Partnerships

A combination of grants and loans from the Asian Development Fund backed this project. The Asian Development Fund awards grants to the poorest and most vulnerable developing member nations of the ADB. This granted a $12 million and $18 million loan from the bank’s concessional ordinary capital resources. Aside from building a sustainable and resilient future, the Tina River Hydropower Project is aligned with the Solomon Islands’ recent renewable energy roadmap. 

Gutierrez said that this ground-breaking project will help the capital, Honiara, establish renewable energy sources to provide electricity. “This project is a testament to the power of partnerships that [have] prioritized climate change action, sustainability, and community development,” she added.

The Solomon Islands’ heavy reliance on expensive, imported diesel to generate electricity is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The Tina River Hydropower Project will change this by adding 15 megawatts of clean energy. Additionally, it will promote the use of renewable hydropower to meet about 68% of the Solomon Islands’ electrical needs according to the project’s website. 

Economic Benefits

More than the environmental benefits this initiative will deliver to the Solomon Islands, the Tina River Hydropower Project also promises robust economic benefits to the country. According to an ADB report and recommendation document, with the reduced dependency on imported diesel, the country will save millions of dollars yearly. Add to that, small businesses will benefit from reliable and affordable electricity, promoting economic growth in all industries. 

Tina Hydropower Limited, a special project company made up of Hyundai Engineering Corporation Limited (HEC) and Korea Water Resources Corporation, carries out the project. This company will be using a build-operate-own-transfer model.

Creating local employment is also important to this project. Since June 2023, HEC has hired 124 local and foreign workers. Of the locals, eight are from Honiara, 24 are from other regions of Guadalcanal, and 61 are from Benefit Share Communities in the project area. 

There are 74 men and 19 women, which indicates a 20% female participation rate. With that, HEC aims to achieve a 30% female-to-male ratio during the project’s building phase. It plans to do so by encouraging an inclusive workplace and designating specific employment roles for women, such as administration, social officers, engineers, and housekeeping.

As construction progresses, the Tina River Hydropower Project will provide cleaner, affordable energy for the Solomon Islands. Above all, once complete, it promises not only reliable electricity but a greener future for the island nation.