BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
SOLOMON Islands becomes the number one recipient of the Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships, which were launched today, Friday, June 7, at the Heritage Part Hotel in Honiara.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Island His Excellency Mr. Rod Hilton said that the PCIFP is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership.
His Excellency Mr. Hilton said this new initiative is to expand Australia’s climate investment past investments like the $357 million Solomon Million dollar contribution to the Tina River hydropower development.
He said that through the PCIFP, the Australian Government has committed to contributing at least Solomon Islands $1.92 billion in climate infrastructure for the Pacific region.
He said that the off-grid renewable energy partnerships being launched today are the very first of those investments and definitely will not be the last.
“Today’s launch is significant because we’re able to announce 10 new business partnerships. That will support the scale off-grid renewable energy in rural and remote areas across six countries in the Pacific. This is actually today the regional, whole of the Pacific launch of this initiative. And the reason, and I’m very happy about this, the reason we’re holding the whole of the Pacific launch here in Honiara, in Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands, is because of the 10. Solomon Islands is the number one recipient, the top recipient with four projects out of the 10, more than any other country. The Solomon Islands are receiving four of those projects; Papua New Guinea is getting two: Kiribati one, Timor-Leste one, Vanuatu one, and Fiji one,’’ he said.
“The first Solomon Islands partnership that was selected was actually announced in February and is already progressing well. It is a partnership between Superfly Limited, the Good Samaritan Hospital, and the Australian Government to generate energy security for essential health care here in Guadalcanal Province,’’ said his Excellency Hilton.
He said that Australia’s partnership with Superfly will install a solar battery and hybrid battery system at Good Samaritan Hospital in Tetere.
“This project aims to reduce the hospital’s operating costs and benefit over 43,000 people. Including 21,500 women who depend on the Good Samaritan Hospital for essential health services. We look forward to seeing the project’s completion in the next two months. It’s a fast-moving project,’’ he said.
“The next partnership is energizing the Solomon Islands Malaita community with affordable solar power. That is a partnership between Superfly, Mai-masina Greenbelt, Save the Children Solomon Islands, and the Australian Government in Malaita Province. That project will establish a large off-grid solar system known as the Hub at Takataka in East Are’’s Malaita, which will provide mains quality power to run income-generating assets that boost the community’s climate resilience.
“The Hub will then administer the sale of affordable solar kits on a subscription basis to local households. The project is referred to as ‘the Spokes, enabling them to access reliable and affordable power connections in their home and improve the quality of life,’’ said Mr. Hilton.
“The third project for the Solomon Islands is powering the Solomon Islands Vavanga community with affordable renewable energy. A partnership between Pelena Energy, Vavanga Women’s Group, Vavanga Community Hydro Committee, and the Australian Government in Western Province. That project will use micro-hydropower technology to provide 116 households in the Vavanga community in Kolombangara with access to affordable, reliable, renewable energy.
“The final Solomon Islands project I’m announcing today is securing access to renewable energy on Solomon Islands Savo Island, and that is a partnership between Apelago Energy, Savo Island Entrepreneurs, and the Australian Government in Central Province.
“That project will explore a scalable model for commercial off-grid renewable energy services businesses. Fish trading, an economic activity in which 80% of the Savo Island community participates, will fund community energy services such as schools and healthcare services. And contribute to building local energy infrastructure to grow the island’s trading capacity, which is currently limited due to traders not being able to refrigerate or freeze their fish,’’ he said.
He said that these partnerships also offer meaningful opportunities to improve energy access for people with disabilities and collaborate with disability organizations.
“I’m very pleased with the PCIFP team here this week that they’ve been able to spend some time with the Disabled People’s Association of Solomon Islands discussing some of those issues here. I would like to acknowledge and recognize the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment and leadership on climate change as an issue and their very strong commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050.
He said Australia stands ready to partner on this commitment, whether it’s through projects like Tina River or these new projects that will look at more rural and remote locations.
“We know that we are only at the beginning of our renewable energy partnership journey, and we will continue to work very closely with you. Today’s announcement highlights the Australian Government’s commitment to being a partner of choice, not only here in the Solomon Islands but across the Pacific, to help tackle climate change. We’re looking to expand our strong portfolio of investments to support all Pacific Island countries in Timor-Leste and deliver reliable and sustainable renewable energy,’’ he said.
He said that these partnerships aim to increase access to reliable and affordable off-grid renewable energy to improve the lives, livelihoods, and climate resilience of communities and support each country’s renewable energy goals now and into the future.
