Around 600 students and 31 teachers at Goldie College in Solomon Islands’ Western Province are celebrating the handover of a new 88kWp solar energy system delivering reliable, 24/7 power to support learning and school life.
The project was delivered under REnew Pacific, Australia’s AUD75 million investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
As the second of three sites to benefit from REnew Pacific’s first project in Solomon Islands, this milestone marks an important step in expanding access to clean, reliable energy for remote communities across the region.
The other two sites are Atoifi Adventist Hospital in Malaita Province and Sir Dudley Tuti College in Isabel Province. Overall, the project benefits more than 81,000 Solomon Islanders through improved access to renewable energy.
Installed by local company Superfly Limited, the solar energy system will provide Goldie College with consistent electricity to power classrooms, improve study conditions and support the wider school community.
The official handover brought together government leaders, partners and the local community to celebrate this achievement, including representatives from the Solomon Islands Government and the Australian High Commission.
Acting Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Andrew Schloeffel, said the project highlights how renewable energy systems can improve education outcomes.
“Renewable energy is cheap, clean and reliable, and a great solution to deliver more opportunities for students in remote areas,” said Acting High Commissioner Schloeffel.
“We’re also proud to partner with local businesses like Superfly to deliver these practical improvements for Solomon Islanders across the country.”
Superfly Director, Gavin Pereira, said the project demonstrates how renewable energy can support both education and long-term development outcomes.
“Access to reliable electricity is critical for schools. This system will enable students and teachers to learn and live more comfortably, while also providing a model that can be scaled to other communities,” said Mr Pereira.
Since launching in 2024, REnew Pacific, Australia’s SBD402 million investment in off-grid renewable energy has expanded across seven countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, delivering locally led clean energy projects that improve lives, strengthen resilience and support essential services including education, healthcare, water and local enterprise.
