WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

5.2.3 Solomon Islands i
Peter D. Lynch, Pelena Energy, Australia
Key facts
Population 584,578 1
Area 28,896km 2
Climate Tropical monsoon; few extremes of
temperature and weather 1
Topography An archipelago of 992 islands. Mostly
rugged mountains with some low coral
atolls 1
Rain
Pattern
Average annual rainfall within the
range of 3,000 to 5,000 mm. Places on
the southern sides of the larger islands
tend to have a rainfall maximum
between June and September. 2
Electricity Sector Overview
A 2009 study indicated that 15.6 per cent of Solomon
Islanders had access to electricity, an increase from
12.7 per cent in 2007. Furthermore, 8.5 per cent of
the population indicated the use of solar electricity
although the type or size is not clear; 4.8 per cent
indicated use of a private generator (assumed to be
fuelled by petrol or diesel) and 3.7 per cent used other
undefined supply of electricity. In total, 32.7 per cent
of the population indicated access to some form of
electricity with the majority of this from private
generation. In general, electricity generation is dieselbased
(figure 1).
Renewable Energy
Diesel
0.7%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
99.3%
Figure 1 Electricity generation in Solomon Islands
Source: International Renewable Energy Agency 3
The Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) is an
autonomous, government-owned entity. Under the
Electricity Act of 1969, it is responsible for the
generation, transmission, distribution and sale of
electrical energy throughout the Solomon Islands. In
preparation for a 15-MW peak capacity hydropower
plant, Tina River Hydropower Scheme ii , a framework is
being defined for negotiation and contracting of an
independent power producer who will build and run
the scheme. 4
Small hydropower sector overview and potential
The mountainous nature of the majority of the
country offers significant micro hydropower potential
(figure 2). There is little access to modern energy
sources and the nation is listed as a Least Developed
Country (LDC) under the UN system.
SHP installed
capacity
SHP potential
0.298 MW
11 MW
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in Solomon
Islands
There are nine hydroelectric systems with capacities
below 150 kW, of which five were implemented by an
Australian environmental NGO, Appropriate
Technology for Community and Environment (APACE).
Six plants are currently operational and are all
community-owned. Two government-operated
systems are currently ‘suspended’, primarily due to
technical issues. The oldest remaining microhydropower
system, at the Atoifi Adventist Hospital,
has experienced frequent technical problems and is
currently undergoing repairs.
The success of the majority of currently operating
micro-hydroelectric systems in Solomon Islands is
significantly due to the efforts by APACE, and its work
in researching procedures and technologies to allow
access to the technology by the rural people of
Solomon Islands. 5
No complete study has been undertaken to determine
the total micro hydropower potential of Solomon
Islands. However, some studies are presented below.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency Master
Plan 2000 funded a study for power development in
Solomon Islands, including hydro. A total of 130
potential hydropower sites were identified, with a
total hydro potential of 326 MW, including Lungga
and Komarindi hydropower projects and other
previous studies. A summary of the sites identified in
the report are listed in table 2 below. 6 The majority of
the identified potential hydro sites were assessed
from desktop or ‘map studies’ using area/
contour/rainfall methods.
It is highly likely that Solomon Islands will never have
a single integrated electricity grid network due to the
many islands and the deep oceans in between.
However, the climate and geography of the country is
ideally suited to the development of independent
power systems and multi-generator mini-grids.
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