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• Past Interventions
• Current Issues for Solomon Islands
• Programme Response

The effective social and economic development of Pacific Communities is dependent on three essential inputs, namely energy, water, and information and communication technologies. The Community Lifelines Programme aims to improve access to these essential inputs in Pacific communities.

SOPAC has provided assistance to specific requests from the Solomon Islands and implemented general regional initiatives.

Past Interventions

Initiatives completed in the Solomon Islands that relate to the Community Lifelines Programme involved development of the water, energy, and information and communication technology sectors.

A photovoltaic water-pumping workshop was conducted in 1997 with participation from the Solomon Islands. Technical assistance was also provided in the water and sanitation sector including: an evaluation of a waste water out fall in Naha (Gayman & Gauss, 1981); addressing the issue of demand management and conservation of water for domestic consumption and use; a technical appraisal of the Auki Water Supply System, and the specific consideration of baseline study hydraulics, sediment chemistry, water quality and ecology of the Matepono River Delta.

In 1999 the publication of a report on the “Petroleum Potential of the Solomon Islands Southwest Pacific� presented an introductory assessment of the petroleum potential, in particular for the offshore areas. The report was based on data from geological land surveys and many thousand kilometres of marine geophysical profiling. The report summarises the areas considered to have the most potential, and highlights and summarises the existing data, legislation and petroleum exploration opportunities (Coleman, 1999). In the same year, a project was initiated and completed in which the energy efficiency of air conditioners in the Solomon’s was designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated. In addition, SOPAC and Geothermal Energy New Zealand Ltd (GENZL) considered the Solomon Islands’ geothermal potential through a joint resource assessment.

In 2001, the Solomon Islands Energy Department was assisted in the reviewing and re-establishing of petroleum price monitoring. This project was later handed over to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).

The Ministry of Natural Resources was also provided with assistance in the evaluation and recommendation of appropriate upgrade options for strengthening data and information systems within the Ministry.

Finally, SOPAC has assisted the Solomon Islands in building up the technical capacity of various Solomon Islands nationals through fellowship attachments at the Secretariat. These include:

• MapInfo? Training in 1998 for Douglas Billy of the Ministry of Energy, Water and Mineral Resources.
• Practical experience for Isaac Lakelalu with SOPAC’s Water and Sanitation Programme for the application of groundwater databases.
• Fellowship attachment for Mr John Korihona and assistance provided in the development of a National Energy Policy Statement.

Current Issues for Solomon Islands

There are a number of critical issues that have been identified by the Solomon Islands in documenting its position both through national and regional mechanisms. Many of these issues are critical in relation to achieving sustainable development in the Solomon Islands and fall within the work programme component areas of the Community Lifelines Programme. The relevant identified key issues and concerns as cited in the National Assessment Report of the Solomon’s are summarised below:

• Lack of data on water resources and community needs in relation to water access.
• Inadequate legislation to ensure fair and efficient usage of the water resources available within the Solomon’s.
• Aging and damaged water supply systems.
• Energy management and planning capacity needs to be strengthened.
• Lack of community access to affordable and efficient energy, particularly in remote areas.
• Need for development of a National Energy Policy, action plan and long-term power supply development plan.
• Limited human resource capacity in energy management and planning, particularly in renewable energy development.
• Lack of development and research in to renewable energy systems.
• Insufficient regulatory frameworks in the energy sector.
• Need to develop infrastructure that will decrease usage and reliance on petroleum fuel.
• Lack of support for the application of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing.
• Limited databases that are able to link data across sectors and communities.
• Need integration of science and technology in to the development process at both a national and sectoral level

Programme Response

Responding to these critical issues requires a pragmatic approach from the Solomon Islands’ partners such as SOPAC. SOPAC’s assistance is provided through both regional projects and specific activities that respond to individual country requests. SOPAC’s regional projects include:

• The continual assessment of wind power development and energy resources, the provision of technical assistance and training of staff for this assessment, and the provision and maintenance of an energy database which will assist in decision making and human resource development;
• The development of energy resources that incorporate new and related technology to improve community access to and awareness of energy resources, in order to ensure sustainable management;
• The development of cost effective and suitable technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing on spatial data for the region that is accessible for relevant stakeholders, regionally and internationally; the development of intranet and internet technologies; relevant support to the government departments concerned, and ensuring the accuracy of available data;
• The provision of technical advice on water and sanitation in the region, its proper management and awareness of waste management; the development of strategies that will reduce member islands vulnerability to drought;
• The review of existing policy and legislation in water, energy and relevant information and communication technologies that relate to SOPAC work programmes; representation of Pacific Concerns at global forums and the coordination of regional action plans in these areas .

Specifically to the Solomon Islands, SOPAC is assisting the Solomon Islands Government in the development and review of their National Energy Legislation as well as the review of their National Water Policy. Technical assistance is also in the pipeline for better water demand management. Technical capacity will be increased for leak detection and leakage reduction and the development of a system to reduce the current unaccounted for water in two urban centres in the Solomon Islands.