Norconsult is to act as the Lender’s Technical Advisor (LTA) during construction of the Tina River Hydropower Project in Solomon Islands, after being selected for the role by the Government of Solomon Islands and a consortium of Lenders led by the World Bank.

During the 58-month construction period for the 15MW project, Norconsult will provide a team of 12 specialists to monitor and advise on all aspects of the construction including the RCC dam, 3.3km of tunnels, electro-mechanical installation and grid connection as well as the environmental and social safeguards required by the Solomon Islands Government and the Lenders.

Norconsult is one of the leading consulting engineering companies in power generation, energy supply and water resources planning with 80 years of experience in Norway and 50 years of international operations.

The planned Tina River Hydropower Project, when up and running, is expected to significantly reduce the cost of electricity for Solomon Islanders. It is also expected to dramatically reduce Solomon Islands’ greenhouse gas emissions – and cut Solomon Islands’ reliance on expensive diesel fuel for energy in favour of clean, renewable sources.

Overall it is expected to shift Honiara’s grid from 3 percent renewable in 2017 to 68 percent at the time the project is commissioned; expected in 2024.

The project will be funded through a Public Private Partnership that the Solomon Islands Government is adapting; the first such arrangement for infrastructure in the Solomon Islands.

Global design firm Stantec announced back in February that it will serve as Owner’s Engineer for the project.

Source: https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/newsnorconsult-appointed-lta-on-tina-river-project-solomon-islands-7941712