According to today’s edition of the Island Sun newspaper, it is claimed the Solomon Islands is likely to be a beneficiary of a proposed $3 million project from the ADB with a focus on technical assistance to strengthen the reliability and sustainability of the energy sector and mobilize private sector investments in clean and renewable energy.
The technical assistance facility will support due diligence, preparation, and procurement, and reform recommendations for projects such as the Federated States of Micronesia Climate-Resilient Energy and Water Project, the Marshall Islands Electrification Project, and the Solomon Islands Sustainable Solar Development Investment Program.
It will also provide technical expertise to prioritize, plan, and prepare investment projects.
The facility aligns with ADB’s Pacific Approach, 2021–2025, which aims to deliver sustainable services wherein renewable energy-based electricity generation has a key role to play.
ADB recently raised its ambition for 2019–2030 cumulative climate financing to $100 billion and is committed to ensuring that at least 75% of its projects will address climate change mitigation and adaptation by 2030.
The Island Sun newspaper understands that funding will boost the existing projects that ADB is working with the Government of the Solomon Islands and Solomon Power to convert electricity networks in five provinces to solar power as part of a new approach to reduce the need for costly shipments of diesel to the provincial centers.
One of the big projects is the Tina Hydro which aims to provide affordable electricity and improved accessibility to cleaner, more reliable energy sources for communities now and in the future.
Source. Island Sun newspaper.
Comment,
Welcome news indeed and thanks are due to the ADB for considering the needs of the Solomon Islands with technical support leading to advances in solar power development.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
