SMEC has been appointed as Project Management and Supervision Consultant (PMSC) for the Tina River Transmission System in Honiara, Solomon Islands, supporting the integration of renewable hydropower into the national grid.
The project will transmit electricity from the Tina River Hydropower Project to Honiara through a new 22km, 66kV overhead transmission line linking the Tina River and Lungga substations. The scope also includes installation of 33/66kV and 66/33kV transformers and associated substation works.
The Tina River Hydropower Project is the Solomon Islands’ largest renewable energy initiative and is expected to enable delivery of around 70–80GWh of renewable electricity annually to the Honiara grid.
The Solomon Islands electricity system has historically depended on imported diesel generation, exposing the country to fuel price volatility and high generation costs. The project forms part of wider efforts by the Solomon Islands Government, Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (trading as Solomon Power) and donor financing agencies to diversify generation sources, improve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under its role as PMSC, SMEC will provide project management, contract administration and construction supervision services, acting as the Engineer under the FIDIC Red Book. Responsibilities include planning and programming, supervision of infrastructure works, design review, quality assurance, safeguards compliance, risk management and contract administration.
SMEC said it has mobilised a multidisciplinary team covering project management, transmission line engineering, substation engineering, safeguards, finance and contract management.
The project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and Export Finance Australia (EFA), and is being delivered in partnership with Solomon Power and the Solomon Islands Government.
“The Tina River Transmission System is a nationally significant project that will enable the delivery of clean, renewable energy to Honiara. We look forward to working closely with Solomon Power, AIFFP and EFA to deliver this project safely, efficiently and in line with its strategic and long-term capacity-building objectives,” said John Robert McDonald, SMEC Regional Director Transmission and Distribution, Asia.
The transmission system is intended to support long-term grid resilience and reduce the country’s dependence on imported diesel while aligning with the Solomon Islands Government’s energy and climate objectives.
