The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today joined project partners in Solomon Islands for a ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of the Tina River main dam structure.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele led the commissioning ceremony. 

He was joined by ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez, World Bank Country Director for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands Stephen Ndegwa, Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rod Hilton, other senior government officials, and representatives from Korea Water Resources Corporation, Hyundai Engineering Corporation Limited, and Tina Hydropower Limited.

In his statement, Prime Minister Manele said, Tina Hydro is not just a project. It is a beacon of hope and unity for our nation as it represents the commitment of the government, people of Solomon Islands and partners in transformational development.

“For years, this project has been a vision and a promise, and today it has become a reality.”

Prime Minister Manele stated Tina Hydro project will not only lower electricity costs but also mitigate environmental impacts by reducing carbon footprint.

Through this project, the Government aims to empower Solomon Islanders reduce household costs and making Solomon Islands a more attractive investment destination.

He adds, Tina Hydro is a testament to the strength of partnership and shared purpose between the government, international partners, tribal leaders, landowners, and the local communities.

ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez said the transformational project will support the development of renewable energy to supply electricity to the capital, Honiara.

“This project is a testament to the power of partnerships that has prioritized climate change action, sustainability, and community development,” Gutierrez said.

_{^{From left: ADB Senior Energy Specialist Elmar Elbling, ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, and ADB Senior Country Officer Dalcy Tozaka.(PC:ADB press)}}
The 15-megawatt hydropower plant will be developed on the Tina River, just outside Honiara, which will reduce the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Tina Hydropower Limited, a special project company, consisting of Korea Water Resources Corporation and Hyundai Engineering Corporation Limited, implements the project through a build-operate-own-transfer scheme.

ADB supports the project with a $18 million loan from its concessional ordinary capital resources and a $12 million grant from the Asian Development Fund, which provides grants to ADB’s poorest and most vulnerable developing member countries.

Other project partners include the Abu Dhabi Development Fund, Australian government, Export–Import Bank of Korea, and the Green Climate Fund.