7 July, Rarotonga, Cook Islands - Renewable energy activities in the Solomon Islands are making a difference in the lives of many.
A USD 5.23 million dollar renewable energy project for 11 Pacific island countries is currently executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Known as PIGGAREP (The Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project), this project aims at helping 11 Pacific islands overcome their barriers to using effective renewable energy technologies, including the Solomon Islands. All PIGGAREP activities require the support of co-financers.
The project is funded by the Global
Environment Facility and is implemented by United Nations Development Programme.
In April this year, 50 solar home systems were installed in Santa Ana, bringing electricity to over 300 people; a solar water pump installed in 2008 in Calofornia, Guadalcanal helps to bring water to 200 people attending the rural training centre school nearby and; a biofuel and solar hybrid renewable energy system for the Aola Health Centre that brings power to the only health centre in the Guadalcanal.
"Our renewable energy targets for the Millennium Development Goals, is 50% of our electricity will be from renewable energy by the year 2015," said Gabriel Aimaea the Principal Renewable Energy Officer from the Solomon Islands.
"We are now trying to address the issue or rural electrification to utilize renewable energy to bring power to the rural and isolated areas in the Solomon Islands."
The Solomon Islands Government has also earmarked SID 5 million to carry out renewable energy projects in partnership with PIGGAREP and other donor partners.
Still to come as part of PIGGAREP are four wind monitoring stations to be placed in the Provinces of Makira, Isabel, Rennel Bellona and Choiseul. This will help identify the potential for wind energy and establish a wind map atlas for the nation, feasibility studies are a vital part of a successful renewable energy activities.
"We are pleased to be part of the positive changes in the Solomon Islands," said Silia Kilepoa Ualesi the Project Manager of PIGGAREP.
"We look forward to seeing more happening that will benefit our local communities in the Pacific region renewable energy is a positive solution that can impact greatly and bring about a better quality of life for our Pacific people."