BY NED GAGAHE
Solomon Power has lowered electricity tariffs across all consumer categories by 8.3%, resulting in average savings of 77 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
The drop in electricity tarrifs occurred in the first three months of 2025 according to Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) in its March Quarterly review, released on July, 8, 2025.
The reductions, effective on January 1, 2025, follows the government’s three-year plan to cut power costs by 25%.
The review saw domestic electricity rates fall by 88 cents to $6.39/kWh. Commercial rates dropped by 71 cents to $5.89/kWh and industrial users saw a 72-cent cut to $5.75/kWh.
“This reduction predominantly affects the non-fuel component of tariffs; fuel charges remain unchanged as a direct pass-through of global fuel prices,” CBSI said.
On water usage, despite a 9% decline in water usage—down to 1,269 kL in the first quarter of 2025—Solomon Water raised tariffs effective on January 1, 2025, per their newly gazetted rates.
Domestic users face a $0.99 increase, now paying $14.64 per kL and commercial users see rates climb $3.04, reaching $45.79 per kL.
Solomon Water cited rising costs in production, maintenance, and infrastructure investments—along with inflationary pressure as drivers behind the price hike.
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