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K-water opens a new era of clean renewable energy on the Solomon Islands

The Tina River Hydropower Development Project starts.

As a global water corporation, K-water is becoming increasingly involved in the global water market. The Tina River Hydropower Development Project, the first large-scale renewable energy project on the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, has been launched with completion scheduled for 2028.

📝Text by. Editorial Team  /  💾Source. K-water

Water energy, a critical tool for diplomacy

K-water held a groundbreaking ceremony on November 4 for the construction of the main dam for the Tina River Hydropower Development Project in the Solomon Islands. As a state occasion held to celebrate the first step in resolving the water energy problems on the Solomon Islands, the ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, key government ministers, and representatives of international organizations that are creditors to offer loans to finance the project, including the World Bank and Asia Development Bank.

The country’s largest-scale single project is raising hopes among the people on the Solomon Islands that it will lay the foundation for stimulating the growth of the national economy just like Soyang Dam made the Miracle of Han River. The Solomon Islands are a small island country consisting of many islands near Australia and Papua New Guinea. 97% of the country’s electricity is produced using fossil fuel. Once the hydropower plant begins operation, it will supply approximately 70% of the power consumed in the capital city of Honiara, setting a major milestone in the state-level supply of sustainable clean energy.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, K-water will proceed with the project as quickly as possible to complete the construction of dams, power plants, and waterway tunnels, all of which are essential for hydropower generation by 2028. Upon completion, K-water will begin commercial power generation and operate the facility for the next 30 years. The project is special for K-water as well because it is its first diplomatic cooperation project in the water industry in a region with population of around 12 million. The project is expected to serve as a major catalyst for Korean businesses to launch their business in the Indo-Pacific region. “K-water will do its best to develop water technology, create a healthy ecosystem of related industries, and act as a critical outpost for the overseas expansion of domestic companies to ensure that clean water energy plays a pivotal role in promoting global economic cooperation and improving diplomatic relations," a source at K-water said.

  • Map of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project
  • Aerial view of the Tina River Hydropower facilities
  • Aerial view of the Tina River Hydropower Dam
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