The Solomon Islands Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification for the Honiara grid has launched a new partnership on renewable energy transition modelling with the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Dr Chris Vehe, welcomed the project.
"The development of a dynamic, open-source energy transition modelling tool will greatly benefit Solomon Islands as we implement the National Energy Policy," Dr Vehe said.
"This tool will support evidence-based decision making by the Solomon Islands Government about how to improve renewable energy integration, energy affordability and security in the Honiara electricity grid."
Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said the project was an example of the depth of Australia''s support for renewable energy and climate change resilience in Solomon Islands.
"Alongside Australia''s financing and delivery of climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable energy generation projects, policy-based technical initiatives, such as this, deepen the people-to-people links between our two countries as we strengthen resilience to climate change," High Commissioner Hilton said.
Over the next eight months, renewable energy experts from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) will implement the Planning Framework and Capacity Expansion Modelling Tools for Solomon Islands Project.
Last month, Australian Government officials and renewable energy experts from the UNSW held consultations with key stakeholders to ensure alignment of the project scope with Solomon Islands'' current energy priorities, including the outcomes of the National Energy Summit.
Project partners also include the South Pacific Community, the Pacific Power Association and the University of the South Pacific.
The project is intended to be completed by mid-2025.
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS (11 September 2024)– The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Solomon Islands are joining other partners to help Solomon Islands transition to renewable energy with a transformational project that will accelerate renewable energy generation and battery storage system installation, support power sector reforms, and promote private sector participation in the renewable energy generation.
"Poor access to clean and sustainable electricity and high electricity prices limit Solomon Islands'' opportunities for economic growth and prosperity. This project will reduce dependency on expensive fossil fuel imports and constitute an important milestone for Solomon Islands on its transition to renewable energy," said ADB''s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office Regional Director Shane Rosenthal. "It will install additional solar capacity in the country and deliver the largest grid-connected battery storage system in the Pacific, which is a crucial first step in expanding grid-connected renewable energy through private sector investment."
The project is funded by a $10 million concessional loan and a $5 million grant from the Asian Development Fund, which provides grants to ADB''s poorest and most vulnerable developing member countries. The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and Solomon Power are providing $10 million each. This is the first joint project financing by ADB and SFD. The Government of Solomon Islands is providing $7 million in exempted duties and taxes.
Virtually all of Solomon Islands'' grid electricity is diesel generated, with renewables making up only around 2% of the energy mix. The Solomon Islands Renewable Energy Development Project complements other ADB energy sector interventions, that help install more renewable energy generation, including the Tina River Hydropower Project as well as another project that is converting five diesel-powered provincial grids to solar hybrid systems.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
ADB Board of Governors has unanimously elected Masato Kanda as ADB''s 11th President.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. It assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.
Honiara, Solomon Islands – Access to energy in Solomon Islands is a widespread issue. Supply is unreliable and cost unaffordable for most of the population. In rural areas this is an even greater issue, with access almost non-existent. However, a recent initiative by the Stimulating Progress towards Improved Rural Electrification in Solomon Islands (SPIRES) project has set a shining example of how renewable energy can revolutionize communities.
Spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), the SPIRES project is paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future for the energy in the Pacific nation.
The Dawn of Change: Rokera Provincial Secondary SchoolA very sunny day in October, the Rokera Provincial Secondary School in East Are''are, Southern Malaita, witnessed a transformative event. The inauguration of a 36kWp solar hybrid photovoltaic (PV) power system marked the first step towards releasing the school from diesel-generated power. The event was organized to coincide with the school''s graduation – bringing together officials, school staff, students, parents and guardians, and people from nearby villages. All united to celebrate this milestone that promises 24-hour access to a more affordable and sustainable energy source.
Hon. Junior Peter Kenilorea, Member of Parliament for East Are''are, eloquently encapsulated the essence of this monumental occasion, highlighting the profound impact of education and electricity on the development of the society. The school principal, expressing heartfelt gratitude, emphasized the significance of this initiative in reducing energy costs for the school, allowing more investments in education at the same time as curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
A more brilliant future: Hunanawa CommunityThe following day, the light of transformation extended beyond Rokera, reaching the Hunanawa community, also in East Are''are. The installation of a 30kWp solar PV system, accompanied by a battery bank, now illuminates the lives of over a hundred households – 50 of them nestled within the heart of Hunanawa but also reaching the surroundings.
Beyond providing electricity, the SPIRES project brings a model for a more sustainable future. By reducing the dependence on fossil fuels, the project is making significant strides in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change in Solomon Islands, one of the most vulnerable countries to global warming and the climate crisis. Moreover, the emphasis on community involvement in the maintenance and sustainability of the system underscores the holistic approach adopted by the project.
A National Strategy in the MakingAs Dr. Chris Vehe, Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) suggested, this pilot paves the way for the renewable energy policy encompassing the entirety of the Solomon Islands. It is expected that the Rokera and Hunanawa project sites will serve as the blueprint for a comprehensive national strategy. Furthermore, the project''s inclusive approach, focusing on the empowerment of women and youth, embodies a visionary step towards a more sustainable development in the country.
A Beacon of HopeThe success of the SPIRES project stands as a beacon of hope for the Solomon Islands. As UNDP Programme Manager Ms. Vini Talai summarized, "Villagers will now be able to use electricity to stimulate economic growth in their communities through increasing production of goods by switching from using manual tools to electric equipment. For example, women can increase garment production with the use of electric sewing machines and sell the surplus for income."
Beyond the immediate benefits of electricity, the project promises an economic upsurge, an education renaissance, and a greener, more sustainable future. As the nation steps into a brighter tomorrow, the echoes of this project will resound in the efforts towards the renewable energy policy, highlighting the vital role of community participation and the inclusion of marginalized voices in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future for Solomon Islanders.
The SPIRES project is being implemented by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification under its Energy Division with financial support from the Global Environmental Facility through the United Nations Development Programme. In addition, for this component, both institutions have partners with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology.
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