IMPORTANT DISCUSSION ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE FIU HYDROPOWER PROJECT

IMPORTANT DISCUSSION ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE FIU HYDROPOWER PROJECT

Posted by : Posted on : 31-May-2016

 

Honiara :  31 May 2016

A consultation between landowners and three significant stakeholders in the Fiu Hydropower Project in Malaita Province will be held in the Malaita Provincial capital Auki this Friday.

The stakeholders include the national government and Solomon Power (formerly known as the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority) and the Malaita Provincial Government

The consultation will see presentations on the DCC Government policy on the  project,  importance  of  this  project  and  the  progress  made  so  far towards  its  actual  implementation  as  well  as  discussions  on  the  way forward in advancing the project based on the achievements to date.

The  Fiu  Hydropower  project  situated  at  the  Fiu  River  in  the  Central Kwara’ae  Constituency  is  seen  as  an  important  national  project  for  the Solomon Islands Government and Malaita Province and is reflected in the ruling Democratic Coalition for Change Government’s Policy document.

The  total  funding  for  the  project  is  USD$15  million,  with  the  Asian Development  Bank  (ADB)  providing  USD$12  million,  while  the  Solomon Islands  Government  and  the  Solomon  Islands  Electricity  Authority, contributed  USD$3million,  with  each  providing  USD$1.5  million  each respectively.

The  project  is  implemented  by  Solomon  Power  as  part  of  its  provincial development energy programme to expand its operations throughout the country, and hence has identified the need to develop renewable energy. 

The  Fiu  River  hydro  project  will  ‘displace’  diesel  in  its  electricity generation capacity in Auki and Malaita Province and by ‘displacing’ diesel reduces the cost of electricity in the Solomon Islands through the use of a renewable energy source.

Auki is the second fastest growing town in Solomon Islands, after Honiara with an annual 5% increase in population.  The  project  also  includes extending  the  network  to  an  additional  250  households  in  the  Auki Township.

The significance of the project is that it will provide lasting economic and social benefits in and around Auki Town, and nearby villages.

It is expected that Solomon Power will be able to produce more electricity through  the  hydro  power  project  than  what  can  currently  be  produced with diesel  generation. This means more households and businesses will be able to access electricity.

Source:  Solomon Islands Government Press Release

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