BY NED GAGAHE
The arrival of a massive Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) at the Tina River dam site marks a critical milestone in Solomon Islands’ journey towards clean, affordable, and sustainable energy.
The team behind the Tina River Hydro Project (TRHP) confirms that the 75 metres machine arrived in the country last month and was safely transported to the remote construction site on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The dam site is located approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Honiara.
Once fully assembled, the TBM will excavate a 3.2-kilometre tunnel through gravel and sandstone, a key component in the development of the Solomon Islands’ first large-scale hydropower station. Tunneling works are scheduled to begin later this year.
The project is considered one of the most transformative infrastructure developments in the country’s history, with the potential to power over 180,000 homes upon completion, mostly in and around Honiara.
The new hydropower station will supply up to 15 megawatts of clean energy, expected to cover nearly 70% of Honiara’s electricity demand, significantly reducing reliance on imported diesel, which currently dominates the country’s power supply.
It is also projected to lower electricity costs by over 40% and drastically cut carbon emissions, making it a flagship renewable energy project in the Pacific.
According to a statement from the World Bank this week, the project is currently 28% complete, with major civil works progressing steadily.
“A massive Tunnel Boring Machine has successfully reached the Tina River dam site near Honiara. The machine’s safe arrival marks another step forward in one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Solomon Islands’ history. Tunneling will begin later this year, paving the way for clean, affordable, and more reliable power for over 180,000 Solomon Islanders,” the statement read.
The Tina River Hydro Project has been in development for over a decade, with planning and consultations beginning in 2009.
It is being implemented by Tina Hydropower Limited (THL), in partnership with K-water of South Korea, and overseen by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE).
The project has received strong backing from a coalition of international development partners, including the World Bank, the Australian Government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Korea EXIM Bank’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
These partners have provided a combination of technical expertise, grant funding, and concessional financing to make the ambitious $240 million project financially viable.
By the end of 2025, all major preparations for dam construction are expected to be completed, paving the way for full-scale construction to begin in 2026. Once operational, currently scheduled for commissioning in 2028.
The Tina River Hydro Project remains a top national priority and is central to the Solomon Islands Government’s long-term vision of energy independence, economic sustainability, and climate resilience.
Photo: World Bank
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