A Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for key equipment of the Tina Hydropower Project—the first large-scale hydropower initiative in the Solomon Islands—was successfully conducted from 7 to 9 April 2025 at manufacturing sites in India.
The FAT covered three major components of the hydropower plant: the hydraulic turbines, Francis Turbine runners for Units 1, 2, and 3, and the spiral cases. The purpose of the inspection was to verify that the performance and quality of the equipment fully comply with technical specifications prior to shipment and on-site installation.
Representatives from Tina Hydropower Limited (THL), the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA), Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. (HEC), Owner’s Engineer STANTEC, and Technical Advisor ENTURA were present, each contributing expert scrutiny in line with their respective technical mandates.
A historic milestone was achieved during the FAT with the participation of Karen Murray Waibala, an engineer from THL. She became the first female technical staff from the Solomon Islands to be involved in a FAT for a hydropower plant. Her engagement in the technical review added both symbolic and practical significance to the event.
“It was a deeply meaningful experience to verify the equipment firsthand for the first large hydropower plant in our country,” said Waibala. “I hope this shows that women can also take the lead in technical fields and serve as inspiration for others in the Solomon Islands.”
Two engineers from SIEA—Joshua Suiramo and Josiah Rade—also participated in the FAT as Off-taker representatives, offering utility-focused insights into operational and implementation considerations.
Located approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Honiara, in the upper catchment of the Tina River, the 15-megawatt Tina Hydropower Plant is currently under construction. Once completed, it will become the Solomon Islands’ first large-scale renewable energy power station.
The project is poised to transform the country’s energy landscape by reducing reliance on imported diesel and enabling a more stable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable power supply.
The successful FAT confirmed that all inspected equipment meets international quality standards. THL remains committed to upholding this level of quality throughout production, installation, and commissioning.
Caption 1: Pressure Testing for Spiral Case.
Caption 2: Visual inspection & verification of the parameters by THL.
Caption 3: Distributor assembly. Guide vanes visible in this view from the bottom up.
Caption 4: FAT team witnessing calibration of equipment before testing begins.
Caption 5: SIEA & THL reps (L-R) Josiah Rade, Karen Murray Waibala, Joshua Suiramo.
The Tina River Hydropower Development Project is led by the Solomon Islands Government, with financing and support from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Australia, the Green Climate Fund, Korea EX-IM Economic Development Cooperation Fund, and the World Bank.
Media Inquiries:
Jeanine Gadepeta
Communications Officer, Tina Hydropower Development Project
📞 +677 25133
📧 jeanine.gadepeta@tina-hydro.com | Find out more on www.tina-hydro.com, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube
A National Project of Solomon Islands | Tina River Hydropower Tina River Hydropower is a National Project of Solomon Islands and has as its objective to provide more affordable and reliable energy options to Honiara. |