The Concessional Financing Partners (CFPs) led by the World Bank (WB) that included the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Korean Exim Bank (EDCF) and the Government of Australia (DFAT) conducted their second biennial implementation support mission to the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) between 12th – 20th October 2026.
The mission commenced with a full day technical site visit at the dam site followed by the kick off meeting held the next day at the Heritage Park Hotel. The programme brought together the Solomon Islands Government, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) and the Project Office, with Solomon Power (SP), Tina Hydropower Limited (THL) and Hyundai Engineering Co. (HEC) with their respective Owner’s Engineer, Lender’s Technical advisers (LTA), the Dam Safety Advisory Panel (DSAP) and financing partners to review implementation progress and coordinate the next phase of delivery. On the third day there was another visit to site to focus on the powerhouse and the tunnel portal.
During the mission the CFPS, DSAP, LTA, Owner’s Engineer discussed on the progress of the preparation of the foundation of the main Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam, stability and excavation on the right abutment against the recommendations from their last visit in March 2026. The weeklong visit also featured technical meetings with THL, HEC and SP with an overall presentation by the Project Manager-Project Office, Mr. Pradip Verma, detailing project progress over the last 6 months.
Fig. 1: CFPs' Mission at the HEC site office for the induction meeting.
Fig. 2: CFPs Mission team at the viewing point at the main dam site.
Fig. 3: CFPs Mission team at the viewing point at the main dam site.
Fig. 4: View of the batching plant at the main dam site.
A joint technical and environmental and social session then examined common priority topics, including reservoir preparation and the sourcing and transportation of aggregates. The mission continued with technical meeting to review observations from recent site visits, followed by presentations from THL and HEC on design responses and project implementation matters. There was a focused discussion on construction optimisation and acceleration, including methodologies to advance critical work areas and strengthen delivery planning.
The October 2026 mission was deemed a success as the DSAP and the CFPs cleared the methodology for the Dam and the RCC mix such that the EPC contractor HEC could start the construction of the Dam.
The mission closed with agreement on the next steps and continued with further technical discussions, site verification and coordination among project partners, supporting safe, timely and well-managed implementation of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project.
Fig. 5: View of the conveyor belt construction from the batching plant to the main dam site.
Fig. 6: View of the Dam Site from the Viewing Dock.
Fig. 7: CFPs Mission team at the main dam site.
Fig. 8: View of the Dam Site from the Viewing Dock.
Figure 9: View from the ground level of the Coffer Dam.
Figure 10: View of the Right Abutment at the main dam site.
Figure 11: View of the Left Abutment at the main dam site.
Figure 12: View of the Foundation Construction Area of the Main RCC Dam.
Figure 13: View of the Coffer dam from above.
Figure 14: Tunnel Boring Machine Exit Portal at the Dam Site.
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
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. www.tina-hydro.com |
or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube