Solomon Islands : Solar Power Development Project

Sovereign Project | 48346-002

Project Name Solar Power Development Project
Project Number 48346-002
Country / Economy Solomon Islands
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 0514-SOL: Solar Power Development Project
Asian Development Fund US$ 2.24 million
Grant 0515-SOL: Solar Power Development Project
Strategic Climate Fund US$ 6.20 million
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Energy / Renewable energy generation - solar

Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Description
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
Impact

Utilization of renewable energy increased as stated under National Development Strategy, 2016-2025.

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

An increased supply of reliable and cleaner electricity.

Progress Toward Outcome Five provincial solar power plants will be fully commissioned and operational by the end of 2023.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Five grid-connected solar power plants put into operation

Capacity building program undertaken

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Output 1: Five grid-connected solar power plants put into operation.

COVID-19 related travel restrictions delayed the completion and commissioning of the solar power plants. Full commissioning of the power plants in Kirakira, Munda, Tulagi, and Malu'u is expected in the third quarter of 2023, while Lata is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2023.

Output 2: Capacity building program undertaken

The capacity-building program has been partially completed (procurement, financial management, and gender-awareness trainings). The training of solar operators will take place during the commissioning of the projects.

Geographical Location Kirakira, Lata, Maluu, Munda, Tulaghi
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The project is considered to create impacts which can be mitigated adequately through implementation of the environmental management plan which includes measures to avoid and/or minimize environmental impacts from civil works and related construction activities.
Involuntary Resettlement There was no physical relocation or loss of income during the implementation of the project. Impacts are not significant as defined under the SPS. The total land required by the project for the solar facilities is 6.7ha of government-owned land. No acquisition of customary land was required. There are no long-term impacts from the project as the construction and operation activities do not restrict the community members near the solar farms from accessing and using nearby resources. However, there were adverse impacts from the loss of trees or crops on the proposed sites.
Indigenous Peoples The entire population of Solomon Islands is considered indigenous, and the affected people are not considered especially vulnerable.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Regular public consultations were carried out with key stakeholders (e.g., member government officials, nongovernment organizations, development partners, and regional agencies) to discuss and update the progress of the project.
During Project Implementation Regular public consultations are carried out with key stakeholders (e.g., member government officials, nongovernment organizations, development partners, and regional agencies) to discuss and update the progress of the project.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services A consulting firm had been engaged for support during design finalization, tendering, and project supervision, using the quality- and cost-based selection method with a quality-cost ratio of 90:10. Two consultants were hired through individual consultant selection to provide up-front procurement support and site supervision support. All consultants will be recruited in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants.
Procurement The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) is the executing agency for the project. Solomon Power is the implementing agency; a PMU has been established within Solomon Power. Solomon Power provides personnel for the PMU. The PMU has been responsible for the procurement of all civil works and goods, which will be undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines. Solomon Islands had requested that ADB select the design and supervision consultants on its behalf.
Responsible ADB Officer Elbling, Elmar
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office in Sydney, Australia (PLCO)
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification
Timetable
Concept Clearance 07 Nov 2014
Fact Finding 07 Mar 2016 to 18 Mar 2016
MRM 17 May 2016
Approval 21 Nov 2016
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 26 Apr 2023

Grant 0514-SOL

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
21 Nov 2016 19 Jan 2017 05 Apr 2017 30 Jun 2021 30 Jun 2024 -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 9.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 2.24 23 Jan 2024 1.31 0.00 86%
Counterpart 6.76 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 23 Jan 2024 1.09 0.00 72%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory

Grant 0515-SOL

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
21 Nov 2016 19 Jan 2017 05 Apr 2017 30 Jun 2021 30 Jun 2024 -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 6.20 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 0.00 23 Jan 2024 0.00 5.97 113%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 6.20 23 Jan 2024 0.00 5.04 96%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Solar Power Development Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2022) Audited Project Financial Statements Jun 2023
Solar Power Development Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2021) Audited Project Financial Statements Jun 2022
Solar Power Development Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2020) Audited Project Financial Statements May 2021
Solar Power Development Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (For Year End 31 December 2019) Audited Project Financial Statements May 2020
Solar Power Development Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (For Year End 31 December 2018) Audited Project Financial Statements Jun 2019
Solar Power Development Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (For Year Ended 31 December 2017) Audited Project Financial Statements Feb 2019
Project Agreement for Grants 0514 and 0515-SOL: Solar Power Development Project Project/Program Agreements Feb 2017
Grant Agreement (Special Operations) for Grant 0514-SOL: Solar Power Development Project Grant Agreement Jan 2017
Grant Agreement (Strategic Climate Fund) for Grant 0515-SOL: Solar Power Development Project Grant Agreement Jan 2017
Solar Power Development Project: Project Administration Manual Project/Program Administration Manual Nov 2016
Solar Power Development Project: Gender Action Plan Gender Action Plans Oct 2016
Solar Power Development Project: Report and Recommendation of the President Reports and Recommendations of the President Oct 2016
Solar Power Development Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Sep 2016

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

Title Document Type Document Date
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2023) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Jul 2023
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2022) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Jan 2023
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2022) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Oct 2022
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2021) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Mar 2022
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2021) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Aug 2021
Solar Power Development Project: Land Compension Completion Report Social Monitoring Reports Apr 2021
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2020) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Jan 2021
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2020) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Jul 2020
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2019) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Dec 2019
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2019) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Jul 2019
Solar Power Development Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2018) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Jan 2019
Solar Power Development Project: Semi Annual Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2018) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Aug 2018
Solar Power Development Project: Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Apr 2016
Solar Power Development Project: Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Apr 2016

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Third Party Inspections and Tests Individual - Consulting Closed
Operation and Maintenance Training Program for Solar Plant Operators Individual - Consulting Closed
Gender and Community Development Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Grant 0514-0515-SOL: Solar Power Development Project [W01] Invitation for Bids Closed

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

Title Document Type Document Date
Solar Power Development Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Sep 2016