By Sarina Laurence A distinctive model for benefiting customary land owners Genuine partnerships between landowners, community, Government and commercial entities are not just important for sustainable development; they are absolutely essential. This has been the proven by the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) in Solomon Islands, where the flagship renewable energy project will provide more affordable, reliable and accessible power to its people and put Solomon Islands at the forefront of the new green global economy. As well as these essential benefits, Tina has also paved the way with the development of an innovative and unique transactional model; allowing …

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A high-tech and environmentally friendly Wastewater Treatment Plant is now fully operational at the Hyundai Engineering Company (HEC) campsite, near the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) site in Central Guadalcanal. The facility which uses the Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) technology is a first of its kind in the Solomon Islands with a completely biological process of treating wastewater.  The MBR system which was designed in a containerised form, is recognised as a proven technology to produce high quality effluent with a smaller footprint and can handle larger volumes with less retention time.   “The MBR does ultra-filtration where a high level of filtration deposit is achieved by producing clean and high-quality water. The treated water is safe for reuse and we are utilizing it by spraying on the access roads to suppress dust,” said Mr Manas Ranjan Samal, Electrical Manager of HEC.  …

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The Community Benefits Sharing Project (CBSP) has become a game changer for many of the people in communities surrounding the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP). Kevin Kela, a 28-year-old from Namoraoni in the Malango area of Guadalcanal, is one of the CBSP success stories and a positive example of how the Project and communities have been able to work together for a better future.In 2019, Kela abandoned his Certificate in Environmental Studies journey at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) after he could not pay for his tuition fees for the whole year, due to financial distress. Around the …

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More women from Tina River catchment communities are attending a four-day life-skills which commenced on Tuesday at Mataruka village. A total of 35 women from Malatoha and Belaha in Central Guadalcanal will take part in training which forms a part of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) for the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP). In the rural communities of Solomon Island, women often struggle with limited job opportunities. To address this, GAP is providing resources and up-skilling women to help earn a modest living and help financially support their family. Gender-Community Liaison Officer for TRHDP, Helen Dolaiano speaking to the …

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A woman from the community accessing water line to her home area. Bore hole drilling for the Community Benefit Sharing Project (CBSP) water systems are now complete with the last 3 water bores holes at Belaha finished this week.  A total of 18 holes have been drilled ready for the system construction which will benefit approximately 40 communities from Bahomea, Malatoha, Mataruka and Belaha. Next week, construction on the water systems will commence at Tina village, Rate Community High School, Horohotu 3 and Aretakiki with materials being delivered over the coming days. The entire construction program to build 18 systems will …

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The TRHDP’s Community Benefit Share Project (CBSP) has reached its target milestone of 300 people participating in Pre-Employment Training (PET) as the 11th and final group attended sessions last week. The PET program has been an ongoing element of component three’s Human Resource Development which also includes vocational and technical training programs. These programs, which started back in 2020, have helped members of communities in the Project catchment be trained and equipped to access the employment and other future opportunities. CBSP Coordinator Francis Kapini described the wrap up of PET as a significant achievement for the Project and communities. “Despite many …

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A delegation of Lenders flew into Honiara last week, marking the first face to face supervised Lenders mission for the Tina River Hydropower Development Project since prior to COVID-19 and the closing of international borders. Representatives from the World bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Korea Eximbank (EDCF), Australia Infrastructure Fund for the Pacific, (AIFFP), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ( DFAT) of the Australia Government spent from the 1st to 15th of July in Honiara and the Tina catchment areas on the supervision Mission to check on the progress for implementation of the Project. For the last two years, the …

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Tina River Hydropower Project Office CBSP Coordinator and Officer along with Pasifiki HR and students from project catchment communities. The second group of sponsored students from the Tina River Hydropower Development Project catchment has commenced various courses at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) as a part of the Community Benefit Sharing Project (CBSP) partnership. A total of 34 students, 12 males, and 22 females, are enrolled in various courses such as Electrical Trades, Heavy Plant Mechanic), Hospitality courses, and Tropical Agriculture and Environmental studies. Additional courses have also been added to cater to those unable to finish Form 6 or …

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Borehole drilling for water supply at the Tina River Hydropower project communities. Work at Bahomea communities is currently underway as the Community Benefit Sharing Project (CBSP) makes a significant push forward to provide locals clean and reliable water supplies under the Water Supply Program.  Water Supply works for Horohotu 1-3, Tina and surrounding areas, Marava, Ngongoti, Verakabikabi, Vatupaua, Areatakiki, Rate Community High School, all located within Bahomea , have commenced and are at various stages of completion. The systems, funded and coordinated by the CBSP for the Tina River Hydro Development Project (TRHDP), range from borehole systems to those tapped from natural …

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GAP Officer, Helen chatting with female employees of the Tina River Hydropower project. The campsite that will house workers and staff for the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) has been inspected in a first audit by the Gender Team from the Project Office. The visit was led by the TRHDP Gender Officer and a team from Tina Hydropower Limited (THL) and Hyundai Engineering Company (HEC) to determine whether female workers have safe and accessible facilities on the campsite and at the Project’s construction site at Garivera, Central Guadalcanal.GAP Gender Officer Helen Dolaiano with other staff inspecting the campsite.According to …

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Students through the Community Benefit Share Project, in collaboration with the Solomon Islands National University (CBSP/ SINU), completed a formal evaluation with Pasifiki HR and the CBSP team this week in Honiara. The first group of sponsored students through the Community Benefit Share Project, in collaboration with the Solomon Islands National University (CBSP/ SINU), completed a formal evaluation with Pasifiki HR and the CBSP team this week in Honiara. The University partnership with the Tina River Hydropower Development Project aims to train students from catchment communities and is a part of the Government’s commitment to building capacity and up-skilling locals …

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Women in the Tina River Hydropower Project catchment communities came together this week to celebrate International Women’s Day. They spend time discussing and acknowledging the significant progress made to improve gender equality for rural women thanks to the Gender Action Plan (GAP) initiatives. Working with the community for over 2 years, the Project’sGender Action Plan team have regularly run activities for both women and men to promote equal opportunities and provide information on how to participate in and receive project benefits. This persistent effort despite recent challenges with COVID-19, continues to encourage women to participate in and benefit from this …

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COVID Safe Management Plans for the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) have beenactivated as a result of the recent community transmission outbreak plaguing the country. The plans, created in 2021 by Tina Hydro Limited (THL), Hyundai Engineering Company (HEC) are helping to guide leaders and officials who are working tirelessly to implement measures to protect the National Project during these uncertain times. The activated plan forms a part of the Community Health and Disease Vector Management Plan (CHDVMP) and is one of a series of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) that have been developed by the Project Company …

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