Commencement of the mid-term socio-economic survey for the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP).

The Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) commenced the mid-term socio-economic field survey on 10^th November 2025, led by Mr. Gerard Fitzgerard (International) and Consultant) and Mr Kellington Simeon, the local team lead, with the support of trained enumerators and the Project Office ESS team.

The purpose of the survey is to assess the socio-economic changes among the project-affected communities since the baseline study conducted in 2020. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the project’s mitigation measures and benefits-sharing mechanisms while also providing key insights for informed ongoing social impact monitoring.

The first week of field data collection was conducted for communities in the Malatoha and Belaha region, and the survey team has continued to the Bahomea region this week. To date, the mid-term survey has completed 40% of the interviews.

The enumerators visited and interviewed heads of the households, guided by structured questionnaires that provide feedback regarding the changes in the community's well-being since the project baseline study in 2020, and to support ongoing adaptive management by TRHDP partners. The community participation is voluntary, and the information collected will remain confidential to ensure that community respondents feel free to speak openly.

Photo 1 –  Local team lead, community liaison assistant with enumerators at Verakaruba, preparing to walk up to the upper communities at Belaha

Throughout the first two weeks of the survey, the community respondents have expressed a strong willingness to engage and share their experiences with the project team, marking a significant step in fostering local support for the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP).

Photo 2 – Use of Kobotoolbox for data collection by Survey teams.

To streamline data collection and improve quality, the team is using mobile-based KoboToolbox forms with GPS/time stamps and built-in validation checks. This allows enumerators to capture responses offline in remote areas and sync securely when back in coverage, reducing errors and shortening turnaround from interview to analysis. Standardised skip logic and mandatory fields help ensure completeness, while real-time dashboards support daily supervision and rapid course corrections in the field. The use of technology is really making the mid-term survey more efficient, reliable, and transparent for communities and project partners

The mid-term survey is ongoing, with completion expected by late November to early December 2025.

 Photo 3 – The survey team assembled at Belaha, Kaimomosa, for a short briefing before moving into the identified households.

For more information, contact:
Communications Officer: Jeanine Gadepeta email: jeanine.gadepeta@tina-hydro.com  
Tina Hydropower development project  
+677 25133 
About Tina River Hydro Development Project (TRHDP)

The first large scale renewable energy project for the Solomon Islands delivering benefits such as more affordable electricity and improved accessibility to cleaner, more reliable energy sources for communities now and in the future. It is being implemented by the Solomon Island 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.

Find out more on www.tina-hydro.com

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