The Solomon Islands Water Authority (SW) is the responsible organisation to provide and ensure water supply and waste water treatment services in Solomon Islands. At present, it provides water supply to four islands namely Honiara, Auki, Noro and Tulagi; and waste water treatment in Honiara. The energy cost is one of the most important considerations in the overall operations of Solomon Water. Further, Solomon Water is mainly dependant on fossil fuels for generation of energy to run its water pumping facilities. With increasing energy costs and the pressure to expand its services, Solomon Water is looking for sustainable energy solutions, which would help in reducing its energy cost while also contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.
A significant share of energy cost is accounted by the pumping stations, which are used to supply water to end-users in four islands, and waste water pumping stations. Solomon Water has plan to expand its operation to serve larger population in future which includes the widening of the supply to cover the currently un-serviced population and increase of population in urban areas due to internal migration in Solomon Islands as indicated in their 5-year action plan. The current demand has already exceeded the current water production capacity of SW by 8 Million litres per day and the gap is expected to increase leading to 50 Million litres per day in 2040. In the Business as usual scenario, the gap will be bridged by increasing the pumping facilities and water network which will be powered by conventional fuel. In the absence of the EE measures and SGOs (Self generating options of renewable energy) through renewable sources, the project will consume more energy and produce GHG emissions. Besides an increase in energy cost would lead to increased operating cost, resulting in increased cost of water supply to end-users, which may not be sustainable in a long-term. It is therefore, important for SW to reduce its operating costs and GHG footprint by exploring suitable and sustainable options. There are two distinct options, which would suit the requirements of SW:
- Improving ‘energy efficiency’ (EE) through adoption of energy efficient technologies e.g. replacement with energy efficient pumps and energy conservation measures, and
- Exploring and implementing ‘self-generation options’ (SGO) such as solar photovoltaic (SPV)
The proposed CTCN Assistance would help Solomon Waters in undertaking the following activities: (1) Conducting detailed energy audits for identifying options for energy efficiency; (2) Assessing SGO options, mainly SPVs for off-setting energy generation through fossil fuels (or reducing the reliance on fossil fuels) and any other energy generation options, if applicable; and efficient operation and monitoring of the energy efficiency measures and renewable energy projects implemented by being benefited from the on job training modules and operational manuals prepared under the TA. The Assistance would support Solomon Water in selection, procurement, implementation and operation of the EE measures and SGO through preparation of their feasibility reports covering the technical design specifications and economic analysis, the on-job training modules and operational manual respectively. The Technical Assistance will enable Solomon Water to implement the projects to cater the current as well as the future energy requirements with renewable sources pertaining to their expansion plans. Since the renewable energy penetration (1% of the total energy generation in 2016 and adoption of the energy efficiency measures are low in the country, it can be said that this project will be one of the first of its kind where an energy intensive utility will be reducing the reliance on fossil fuel leading to the reduction of GHG emission and contributing to country’s targets under National Energy Policy and INDC. This utility-based model project can be replicated by other state-owned enterprises and commercial setups in Solomon Islands and in other countries in the region.The assistance will not only lead to substantial savings on energy cost to foster reinvestment in the water services but also complement the ongoing donor support for Solomon Water to increase the access to safe drinking water, improve sanitation and waste water treatment services.