THE Tina River Hydropower Development Project has entered a new phase with construction commencing on the main dam and powerhouse.
To celebrate the start of construction of the hydropower facility, Prime Minister Manele attended an official ceremony alongside Australian High Commissioner, Mr Rod Hilton, Solomon Islands Government ministers and officials, senior representatives from the multilateral development banks, K-Water, Tina Hydro Limited, and Hyundai Engineering Corporation.
The Tina River Hydro project is being delivered by co-financiers including the Australian Government, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Asian Development Bank, Green Climate Fund, Korea EX-IM Economic Development Cooperation Fund and the World Bank.
Since 2010, Australia has committed over SBD358 million to support the project, including a loan and grant package of SBD176 million from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
In his keynote speech at the event, High Commissioner Hilton highlighted the importance of the project for both Australia and Solomon Islands and the enduring partnership between both countries.
“Since the very beginning, Australia has been a committed partner of this critically important project for the future of Solomon Islands” said High Commissioner Hilton.
“It will bring affordable and reliable electricity to the capital and enable more people to access power, more businesses to grow, more jobs and economic growth.”
The project is a critical piece of infrastructure that will reduce Honiara’s reliance on diesel generation and enable Solomon Islands to meet the 100 per cent commitment for emissions reduction under the Paris Agreement.
Australia’s funding contributes to the construction of the access roads and transmission line, as well as technical assistance to the Project Office and contractor supervision.
For more information visit: Connecting Solomon Islands’ capital to electricity via transmission line | The Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP)
Source: Australia High Commission
