Component 3 - Transmission Line
The Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) will consist of four components:
1. Hydro Power Facility (HPF); 2. Access Road; 3. Transmission Line; 4. Technical Assistance.
- Power Transmission: Electricity generated by the Tina River Hydropower Facility will be transmitted via two parallel, single-circuit 66-kilovolt (kV) lines. These lines will follow a 22 km route along a 50-metres easement corridor to the existing Lungga Diesel Power Station.
- Transmission System Capacity: Designed with a 15-megawatt (MW) capacity, equivalent to the hydropower project’s generating capacity, the transmission system will generate between 70 to 80 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable energy annually. This supply is expected to meet approximately 73 to 83 per cent of Honiara’s electricity demand.
- Upgrade to Lungga Power Station: The cost of this component includes upgrades to the Lungga Power Station switchyard, enhancing it from the current 33 kV system to accommodate the 66 kV transmission from Tina.
- Implementation: The Solomon Power (SP) is the Project Implementing Entity (PIE) and will manage the construction and contracting an installation contractor for the works. The Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) is partnering with SIEA to fund and build the Transmission System.
- Land Acquisition: The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) has acquired registered land for the Lot 1 Access Road, and with addition to SIEA’s 50m easement (segment U3), has enable SIEA to construct and maintain sections of the Transmission lines from Tina Hydro-Station to Lungga Power Station.
- Local Employment and Gender Inclusion: The Transmission System will generate over 200 job opportunities for local and international workers, both during and after construction. A particular focus will be on creating jobs for women and advancing gender inclusion policies.
- Project Timeline: Construction of the transmission line is anticipated to begin in the third quarter of 2025 and be completed by the third quarter of 2027. The system is expected to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2028, providing renewable energy to meet Honiara’s growing electricity needs.
Figure A1-5, below is the SIEA’s 50m corridor route of the 66kV Transmission Line, from the Hydropower facility to Lungga Diesel Power Station. The Project will finance only the line from Tina Hydro-Station to Lungga Power Station (route sections U2+U3 = 22km). SIG registered route sections = U1+U2.
