
Solomon Islands supports SIDS platform to accelerate renewable energy transition
The Solomon Islands Government this week expressed its strong support for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Platform, a groundbreaking initiative by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the World Bank, aimed at accelerating solar energy deployment across island nations.
Speaking at the Seventh Regional Committee Meeting of the ISA in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Hon. Derick Rawcliff Manu’ari, Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, emphasized the importance of the platform in overcoming the unique challenges faced by SIDS, including reliance on imported fossil fuels, limited land availability for large renewable projects, and geographic dispersion that complicates energy grid expansion.
Minister Manu’ari said, “The SIDS Platform offers a timely and strategic opportunity for island nations to transition towards clean energy solutions that can reduce costs, create jobs, and build resilience in our communities.”
The platform integrates a comprehensive suite of tools, including a digital marketplace, standardized procurement frameworks, innovative financing mechanisms, project development pipelines, and capacity-building modules. These elements collectively empower governments, utilities, and businesses to unlock renewable energy potential while addressing financing and technical barriers.
During the meeting, successful case studies such as the Maldives’ ASPIRE program were showcased, demonstrating how the SIDS Platform enabled solar power purchase agreements at record-low tariffs, generating significant fiscal savings and emission reductions.
The gathering provided an important forum for Pacific Island representatives, including the Solomon Islands, to affirm political commitment to the platform and to collaborate with development partners in preparation for the upcoming COP30 climate conference.
Supporting programs such as the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and the SIDS DOCK Support Program were highlighted for their vital roles in enabling sustainable energy transitions within island states.
The Solomon Islands remains committed to working closely with regional and international partners to implement the SIDS Platform, identify priority projects, and contribute to the global effort to achieve affordable, reliable, sustainable energy for all.
About the International Solar Alliance (ISA)
The International Solar Alliance is a treaty-based intergovernmental Organisation launched on 30 November 2015 during the COP21 climate conference in Paris by the Governments of India and France. Its mission is to promote solar energy deployment in countries located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The ISA provides technical assistance, capacity building, financial resources, and policy guidance to support member countries in scaling up solar energy solutions. The Organisation’s headquarters is in Gurugram, India, and it became operational in December 2017.
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-GCU Press Release