BY PRIESTLEY HABRU
In Brisbane
THE Solomon Islands Government is looking at making provisions for the possibility of having another energy supplier.
Currently Solomon Power is the only company supplying power and electricity in the country.
Speaking at the opening of the two days 10th Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane on Wednesday, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said this is to ensure competitiveness and greater accountability in the energy sector.
“The government is currently undertaking consultations aimed at improving our legislation including the separation of the regulatory and service provision aspects in the country’s energy sector.
“Currently the regulator and service provider are one and the same – which does not auger well from a governance, control, accountability, competitiveness and transparency standpoint,” he added.
Furthermore, PM Houenipwela said the Government has now secured funding for Tina River Hydro Dam Project in the vicinity of SBD1.6 Billion (approx. USD200million).
“When operational the Tina River project will supply up to 80% of energy needs in the national capital and reduce the cost of doing business at the national capital.”
He added the government is considering other sustainable clean energy solutions for the rest of the country, which he said is a clear reflection of the Government’s policy on clean energy.
