Tina river hydrodevelopment project, Solomon Islands

9th June 2017 By: Sheila Barradas - Creamer Media Research Coordinator & Senior Deputy Editor

Tina river hydrodevelopment project, Solomon Islands

Name of the Project
Tina river hydrodevelopment project (TRHDP).

Location
The proposed project is located on the Tina river, a tributary of the Ngalimbiu river, in north Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands.

Client
The TRHYDP is a national project of the Solomon Islands, managed by a dedicated project office under the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE).

Project Description
The TRHDP is part of a broader initiative called Solomon Islands Sustainable Energy Project and aims to provide electricity for Honiara from indigenous renewable-energy sources to ensure more affordable and reliable energy options for the capital. The project comprises a 53-m-high dam at an elevation of about 123 m above sea level, and an estimated 30 river kilometres from the sea, a 3.3 km tunnel to a powerhouse and a tailrace at an elevation of 73 m above sea level.

The reservoir formed by the dam will extend about 2.6 km upstream and will have a surface area of about 0.28 km2 at an elevation of 175 m above sea level.
Initially, the powerhouse will have three generator units, each with a capacity of 5 MW, allowing for a maximum discharge of about 18 m3/s and a minimum discharge of about 2.4 m3/s.

Two 33 kV, 22-km-long transmission lines, built on the access road are proposed to connect the TRHDP substation to the existing Solomon Islands Electricity

Authority electrical grid at a substation located at the Kukum Highway junction, which, in turn, will connect to the Lungga diesel power station.

The transmission line will be designed to be upgraded to 66 kV in the future.

Jobs to Be Created
Not stated.

Value
The project value is estimated at $136.7-million.

Duration
The Green Climate Fund has approved $86-million in financing to aid the Solomon Islands in advancing the TRHYDP.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Solomon Islands Electricity Authority, tel +677 39422 or email enquiry@solomonpower.com.sb.