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The visit to the 15 MW renewable energy project was an opportunity to discuss achievements and upcoming works at the tunnel and dam sites, which are set to start in the coming months.
The World Bank’s Country Director for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, Stephen Ndegwa, visited the Tina River Hydropower Development Project site in central Guadalcanal this week to review the progress made on the project since his last visit in late 2023.
Accompanied by Mr Chris Weehe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), Ms Annette Lees, World Bank Representative for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and staff from the Tina River Project Office, the delegation visited the 15MW renewable energy project and took the opportunity to discuss the achievements and upcoming work at the tunnel and dam sites which are due to start in the coming months.
Mr. Ndegwa expressed satisfaction with the progress made and stressed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote clean energy and sustainable development in the region. He noted that the project marks an important step for Solomon Islands in strengthening its energy security and driving economic growth.
“I am pleased to see substantial progress in the construction of the access road and other civil works since my last visit nine months ago. I thank the Solomon Islands Government for its continued support and commitment to the project and the contractors for the progress made. The Tina River Hydropower Project is a significant investment for the Solomon Islands. It will harness local natural resources to produce clean, stable, renewable energy for the Honiara grid and provide numerous benefits for social services, business and economic growth. As we look forward to the start of major construction works at the power plant, challenges remain that require the understanding and support of SIG and all project partners.”
PS Vehe conveyed the Solomon Islands Government’s gratitude to the World Bank for its continued support. “The continued collaboration of all parties has been critical in moving the project to its current stage, and the World Bank and the other five financiers have also played a vital role in facilitating sustainable and responsible project implementation through our ongoing collaboration.”
For more than a decade, the World Bank has been working closely with the Solomon Islands Government’s Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (SIG) to advance the project from preparation to implementation.
Other concessional financiers include the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Asian Development Bank, the Australian government, the Green Climate Fund and the Export-Import Bank of Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund.
Source: Tina Hydro Project Press Release
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