BY INDY MAEALASIA
With 25% of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project now completed, full-scale construction of the dam is expected to begin in February 2026, according to Project Manager Pradip Verma.
Speaking on a talkback show at SIBC on Sunday, July 20, 2025, Verma said the project is progressing according to its revised schedule, with commercial operation targeted for 11 February 2028.
“We are confident with the construction of the dam in Feb 2026.
“However, it will likely require two dry seasons to complete,” Verma said.
The dam, a key component of the project, will stand 72 meters high and be constructed in 216 layers, each measuring 35cm.
Verma confirmed that the tunnel boring machine is already in Honiara, and works are planned to take approximately 400 days.
He added that construction of the powerhouse is scheduled for completion by mid-2027, while the transmission lines, to be built by Solomon Power, are expected to be commissioned by October 2027.
“The dam, the tunnel, and the powerhouse will all be ready by that time,” Verma said.
Verma also stated that a three-month testing and commissioning phase will follow, running from November 2027 to February 2028, ahead of the full commercial launch.
While acknowledging the potential challenges of wet weather, Verma emphasised the team’s readiness to proceed regardless of conditions.
“We are confident with most of the design work is complete. It is a matter of getting the right weather but even if it is raining, we still have techniques to manage those situations and build the dam,” he added.
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