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
