Quoting two separate reports published in today’s Island Sun newspaper, utility services relating to electricity, sewage and water featured significantly and I share with readers the details
Honiara stands to benefit $500 million from Solomon Power’s five years $1 billion SBD capital programme from 2022-2027.
This is because it has a customer base of 23,000 people.
Solomon Power Chief Executive Officer, Donald Kiriau highlighted this during the 2021 Infrastructure Symposium at the FFA recently.
Mr. Kiriau said under the programme, Western will get $80 million, Malaita -$80 million and Guadalcanal – $80 million.
He said Isabel will get $70 million.
Kiriau said Choiseul Province, Makira Ulawa, Temotu and Rennell and Bellona will share $40 million each.
He said only Central Islands Province will get $30 million under the programme.
In addition, Mr.Kiriau said it was estimated that only 17 percent of the population has access to electricity and only 72 percent of Honiara has access to electricity.
“So, there is an ambitious plan for Solomon Power to give more of our people access to electricity because, as we all know, electricity enhances the standard of living for everybody.
“On that note, Solomon Power is faced with a lot of issues and challenges particularly in bringing energy to our people. This includes the tyranny of distance, scattered islands and high costs of operations,” he said.
“We note that 40 percent to 50 percent of our costs is for fuel.
“For Solomon Power, our key investment plans are guided by the following strategies over the medium term and in turn these are linked to our National Development Strategy, Our National Energy Policy and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Renewable Energy roadmap,” he said.
Mr.Kiriau said under the governing policies, Solomon Power aims to ensure 90 percent to 100 percent renewable energy for Honiara by 2030 and an ambitious 100 percent access to electricity plan by 2050.
“So, with our mid-year term plans 2022-2027, one of our key goals is the Strategic initiative and we realise the importance of diversifying our reliable assets into more renewable energy solutions.
“So that is the only way forward (with) Tina Hydro, Solar farms and hybrids solutions,” he said.
Furthermore, Mr.Kiriau said they have to ensure that their loyal customers value their service and particularly a service that is safe and reliable.
“And thirdly an operational excellence model that supports strong performance, delivery and returns to stakeholders, government and the people of Solomon Islands,” he said.
Mr.Kiriau wished to thank their development partners such as Australia, World Bank, ADB, New Zealand and others for supporting Solomon Power with its ambitious goal of bringing more people onto the (electricity) grid.
In the second report relating to sewage requirements, Solomon Water’s General Manager Mr. Ian Gooden has said Solomon Water needs about $60 million to provide sewages for key games facilities for the Pacific Games in 2023.
Mr. Gooden revealed this during the 2021 Infrastructure Symposium at the FFA recently.
Mr.Gooden said there are about 10 facilities that will require water and waste water servicing.
He added one is the accommodation and SIFF facility and the National Sports council ground.
“We need funding in the next 12 months,” he added.
Furthermore, Mr.Gooden said one of the impacts is the Kukum Highway project.
“We need sewage that will go under the road and from the Ministry of Fisheries to Ranadi that is 1.4 kilometers of sewage that needs to be laid under the lane.
“That has not been taken into account and not funded. We are trying to work through that,” he said.
Mr.Gooden said they have a large sewage project for Ranadi that is worth around $15 million US dollar and that includes a deep sea ocean floor.
“Unfortunately, we are not funded for that, the project has been broken into four parts and would cost 20 percent to 35 percent more because we are forced to build in four different parts.
“The plan B is we continue to put raw sewage into the environment and vicinity of the SIFF and National Sports Council ground. That is not acceptable to us and takes us back to safe water and provisions,” he added.
In addition, Mr.Gooden said within their 30 years plan, they intend to build a new water treatment plant at Lunga worth around $50 million.
He said it is not funded and hasn’t started yet.
“We have done all the feasibility work,” he said.
End of quotes.
Source. Island Sun newspaper.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
