Solomon Islands

Solomon Island Government formally requested PIEPSAP support in providing feedback on the Solomon Island Energy Policy Framework.

Solomon Islands - Department of Mines and Energy indicated for PIEPSAP support specifically as follows:

(i) To review the Solomon Island Energy Policy Framework;

(ii) Solomon Island priority areas have been identified by the country as follows:

• Urban Electrification
• Rural Electrification
• Other Sources of Renewable Energy Options
• Petroleum

(iii) It has been indicated that a proposed Advisory Committee could be convened under the Rural Electrification Sector Policy statement to promote discussion on energy related issues.

PIEPSAP Team studied the Solomon Island Energy Policy Framework and Mr Anare Matakiviti, PIEPSAP Energy Advisor consulted with Solomons from 29 Oct - 5 November 2004.

Download PIEPSAP Consultations - Solomon Islands, 29 Oct - 5 Nov 2004

Further consultations with Solomons were held at the REM 2004 in Madang, PNG.

The PIEPSAP Energy Advisor, upon request from Solomon Islands scheduled trip to Solomon Islands from 31 January - 4 February 2005 to coincide and collaborate with World Bank Mission, Department of Mines & Energy and Economic Reform Unit (Ministry of Finance) on the Financial Restructuring and Private Sector Participation Study into SIEA & SIWA from 31 January 2005.

Download PIEPSAP Consultations with World Bank - Solomon Islands, 31 Jan-4 Feb 2005

Project progress is affected by significant delays in responses to PIEPSAP communications.

As of 25 July 2005, PIEPSAP Work Programme for Solomons was endorsed by the Government of Solomon Islands.

Download PIEPSAP Work Programme - Solomon Islands

World Bank Restructuring Plan SIEA/SIWA
Through Solomon Islands National Representative Mr Donn Tolia, Permanent Secretary of Mines and Energy SOPAC has been requested to review the reports and proposals made by PwC, Sydney with respect to the Restructuring Plan for the utilities SIEA and SIWA.

Review of utility restructuring plan presented by World Bank reviewed upon request of SI Government. Review endorses concept of a competitively tendered management contract as a first step towards more fundamental reforms in SI utility industries. Long term plan geared towards private public partnership model and a merging of power and water utilities.

Download PIEPSAP Comments on Restructuring Plan SIEA, August 2005

A consultation workshop was carried out for Solomon Islands from 28 November - 2 December 2005.

Download Consultation report, December 2005

Download Inception Report, January 2006

Mr Matakiviti carried out ongoing energy policy consultations with Solomon Islands from 12-19 September 2006.

Early February 2006 the Government of the Solomon Islands requested the PIEPSAP project to review its Electricity Act and the regulatory and enabling frameworks for rural electrification. In response to this request the PIEPSAP project will commission a consultancy to support the Solomon Island Government through technical assistance. Download Request for Quotation

Mr Zieroth participated in the Rural Electrification Workshop, 14-21 November 2006 that wraps up the consultancy on a framework for rural electrification that has been funded under the PIEPSAP project.

Download Financing Framework

Download Minister's Speech

Download Rural Electrification Workshop Participants

The Governmnet of the Solomon Islands requested the PIEPSAP project to review the base electricity tariff currently charged by the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority. In response to this request, the PIEPSAP project has commissioned a consultancy to support the government through technical assistance. Download Request for Quotation

Tariff review for SIEA conducted, first draft circulated in May 2007. Final version of tariff study produced and widely distributed.

Enhancing SIEA GIS to a demonstration Unit
Management Information Systems (MIS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have become efficient tools for power utilities in the Pacific region. The Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) in November 2006 requested SOPAC’s assistance to upgrade a MIS/GIS that the utility has been using since 1998. In response, SOPAC EU Project and PIEPSAP fielded two GIS personnels to the Solomon Islands during March and April of 2007 to achieve the objectives of the assigment.

Download Short Report on the SIEA GIS-MIS Enhancement

Solomon Island Government endorsed National Energy Policy developed with PIEPSAP support in August 2007!

Continued Support to Rural Electrification Framework, development of a policy document for rural electrification with World Bank.

For more information please contact:

Gerhard Zieroth

Project Leader - PIEPSAP Project