The four key challenges for Solomon Power in the future are effective and efficient delivery of the SBD 1 Billion capital programme, development and sustenance of human capital, increasing the footprint of the electricity network and to offer electricity at lower prices. Solomon Power are conscious of the high cost of electricity in Solomon Islands due to our heavy reliance on diesel and are therefore actively working with all our stakeholders to pursue initiatives to bring down the price of electricity. We hope the renewable energy proposals on the table, on completion, will assist Solomon Power to reduce the price of electricity.This includes the recent commisioning of the 1MW Hendeson solar farm, 150kW Buala mini-Hydro and upgrade to he Honiara and Lungga power stations. Hemant Kumar is a Chartered Electrical Engineer with more than 28 years of experience in the Power Industry in Australia, New Zealand and in the South Pacific. He has held senior management roles while working for electricity distribution, transmission and generation utilities. His roles included Team leadership, Planning Manager/Engineer, Network Development Manager, Standards Manager, Design Manager, Project Manager, and Contracts Manager/Engineer. He has led an amalgamation of several design standards. He has been responsible for development of asset management plans, network planning, and optimization and capital expenditure programs. He also has several years of electricity network management experience including planning, operational, development of business case to the board and development of asset management plans.

1. Solomon Power

2. Presentation by Hemant Kumar
November 2016
Solomon Islands Electricity Authority
Trading as Solomon Power
.

3. Solomon Islands
 Nine Provinces
 Over 900 small islands spread over vast area of Sea
 Population @ 512,000. Honiara – @70,000.
 Foot print of electricity - very small.
 Access in Urban Honiara – 64%
 Access in rest of the country – 6%
 Grid connected electricity – 12 % of the Population

4. Strategic Goal
 Accessibility of electricity to all Solomon Islanders - 2050.
 Foot print of electricity in the Nation is very small, and
penetration of electricity is less than 16% in the Country.
 Increasing affordability of electricity.

5. Key Challenges (1)
 Increasing the foot Print of electricity
 Population spread over many islands
 Physical accessibility
 Land Issues/ Consultation Process
 Network expansion – Building in Road Reserve

6. Challenges in getting there

7. Port facilities for larger vessels required

8. Land Issues – Customary Land -
Consultation

9. Key Challenges (2)
 cost of electricity - is one of the highest in the South Pacific.
 Pricing regulation is purely based on price of diesel
 Over reliance on diesel
 Deters potential customers from joining the network
 The network is concentrated in Honiara
 Connection cost is high – in house wiring/service connection

10. Strategy 1 -Least Cost Generation - Expansion
 Renewal sources of energy will reduce the price
 Micro – grid – Mini grid – Hybrid 415V generation systems (Solar,
Batteries, back up diesel). Cash Power pre-pay meters
 Only two staff per site
 Modular design for scalability - @150 + connections
 40 Mini Hybrid Systems planned in the Islands
 3 already approved -being implemented. 37 prioritised.
 planning studies has commenced for additional ten sites.

11. Strategy 2 - Existing network expansion
Reduction in Tariff
 15,400 customers at present
 Double this to 30,000 by 2021
 Increase in customer base will reduce price
 Reduction in fixed cost per customer
 Reduction in tariffs
 Proposed Output Based Aid Program of World Bank to
subsidise house connections and wiring

12. Grid-Connected Solar Power Plants
 Support from ADB
 Total 2 MW of Hybrid (Solar, battery storage and diesel back up)
 At existing outstations in Munda, Malu’u, Tulagi, Lata and
Kirakira
 These will replace the existing only diesel generation systems
 Project to be executed during 2016-2019

13. Who should take the Lead?
 What comes first economic growth or electricity infrastructure
 Chicken and egg situation
 Economic growth and electricity go hand in hand
 Solomon Power is taking the lead
 There will be growth wherever network exists
 Thank you.