Tina River hydropower - phase 3 feasibility study
Client: Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification
Location: Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
Date: September 2013 – May 2014
Conducting a feasibility study to develop a viable new hydropower scheme for safe and sustainable power at lower cost
Background
A hydropower project on the Tina River could provide sustainable and cost-effective power for more than 80% of the needs of Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands, significantly reducing the cost of power generation currently provided from expensive imported diesel.
Entura was engaged to identify the optimum hydropower development scheme among several options based on technical, economic, social and environmental and load growth criteria, and to conduct the detailed feasibility study of this identified development scheme.
Phase 1 studied the entire length of the Tina River to determine the optimum scheme for a stage 1 development. Phase 2 further developed the outcomes of the phase 1 study with a view to preparing the optimum scheme for full development. Due to the high geological risks of the phase 2 site, a further phase 3 was commissioned to find an alternative lower-risk site.
Solution
Entura provided expertise in hydropower, hydrology, hydraulic analysis, geotechnical engineering, concrete dams, construction planning and cost estimation.
Entura has a long relationship with this project, and been acutely aware of the need to identify ‘fatal flaws’, to understand the requirements of the client and other stakeholders, and to be flexible and responsive in project planning and delivery.
Outcome
Entura’s feasibility study identified that the phase 3 site is technically and economically viable in terms of replacement of diesel energy for Honiara. The project is expected to progress to tender phase in mid-2014. Ultimately the project will create significant benefits for the Solomon Islands through reduced costs of electricity generation, and the creation of a long-term safe and sustainable power supply.
