Rural Electrification Program Aims For 10 Percent Coverage
(SOPAC)
Solomon Islands Director of Energy, John Korinihona says up to 10 per cent of the population in rural areas will have electricity by the end of next year through its Rural Electrification programme.
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Only about 15 per cent of the estimated 567 000 people in Solomon Islands have access to electricity. These are mainly people living around the capital Honiara.
“In the rural areas, many families use kerosene lamps and hurricane lamps for light. It’s only those who can afford diesel generators that have better lights.”
The Solomon Islands government requested the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) through the Pacific Islands Energy Policy and Strategic Action Planning Project (PIEPSAP) to review its Energy Policy Framework with priorities in Urban Electrification, Rural electrification and renewable energy option and petroleum.
Korinihona says the PIPESAP among other things had reviewed of the electricity act has recommended the way forward for Solomon Islands.
“Our action plan works very well for the future of our country, it does not work on an ad hoc basis like in the past but based on the policy, everything is planned and structured well.”
SOPAC energy advisor Rupeni Mario says while a lot of funding in being channelled to the country to address energy concerns including a recent bilateral agreement with the Italian government, Solomon Islands to take ownership of their projects.
“Everything is not on hand out mentality, it is not for us from the outside to tell you what you should do or tell you what to get. You know better what to do and what you need.”
The Italian government is also pouring in about $2 million to assist Solomon Islands address some of their energy concerns. This includes looking at renewable energy options.
Mario said that the country had a lot of potential in terms of renewable sources of energy “including hydro and bio-fuel such as coconut oil or palm oil”.
Korinihona says renewable energy is the alternative to petroleum energy is one of the strategic areas of their policy saying the prospect is good for development.
“Depending on local demand, solar and hydro energy has great potential.”
PIEPSAP Coordinator, Gerhard Zieroth said that renewable energies are environmentally friendly and hold the promise of an improved energy security and creation of local value.
“However, energy sector investments are enormously risky and decision making to ensure a sustainable energy supply requires a good policy framework and a complex analysis of the options, risks and constraints.”
PIEPSAP which is funded by the Government of Denmark through UNDP Samoa have been operational since early 2005 and have supported 14 PIC to improve their energy sector management.
“Solomon Islands, a major beneficiary is an encouraging example of integrated energy sector management both on the national and the regional level,” says Zieroth.
The Energy Policy sets a framework for the use of local energy resources, energy conservation and regulation and pricing. For such type of networking amongst energy sector professionals, PIEPSAP offers a platform, sponsors regional seminars and encourages closer co-operation through exchange of expertise amongst SOPAC member countries.
