Following last month's World Hydropower Congress in Bali, the Tina River Hydropower Development Project is now heading to the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28 in Dubai as a part of a cross Ministry delegation. Representatives from the Project Office for the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) will participate in a hosted panel discussion as a part of a combined Solomon Islands side event to be held in the Blue Pavilion on December 8. MMERE will join the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) to share insights and opportunities from a Pacific Island perspective on a global stage.
The conference, which brings together representatives from countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), serves as a platform for negotiations and discussions on global climate action, including efforts to address climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable development. The side event provides an opportunity to share our journey to clean energy, highlighting the benefits of Tina Hydro and to discuss how to transform climate ambition into action and funding for future adaptation projects in Solomon Islands.
The Solomon’s Island Government have already successfully used climate adaptation funding which include the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on Tina. Led by the Ministry of Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), the Project also has secured finance and support from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Australia, Korea EX-IM Economic Development Cooperation Fund, and the World Bank.
The dedicated side event in the Blue Pavilion to discuss the importance of climate funding on Solomon Island projects like Tina River, is acknowledgement that a global solution cannot be achieved without global participation. By bringing together diverse stakeholders from all corners of the world, the cross-Ministry delegation aims to show potential funders and donors why the Solomon Islands is a great destination for climate finance and to start conversations around supporting future projects and initiatives.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Permanent Sectary for MMERE Chris Vehe says being a part of a United Nations Climate Summit is an important step to secure future financial support. “It gives our government a chance to collaborate with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and work towards finding innovative financing solutions to combat the climate crisis which directly affects our country, “ he says.
When operational, the 15 MW renewable energy project will harness the power of the natural resource flowing from the Tina River to provide clean and sustainable electricity to a population that is highly susceptible to climate-induced disasters. It will also contribute to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions with less reliance on fossil fuels.