ABU DHABI FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT HOLDS TALKS WITH SI DELEGATION TO IRENA 2024
“With its mission aimed at helping developing countries like the Solomon Islands to achieve sustainable economic growth, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has re-assured its commitment to working more closely with the Solomon Islands Government”.
These were the words of Mr. Mohammed Hasan Alhamedi, Projects Manager Operations Department for the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development during a bilateral meeting with the Solomon Islands delegation to 14th IRENA forum 2024 convened last week in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The Solomon Islands delegation was led by Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Dr Christopher Vehe Sagapoa, including His Excellency, Ambassador Cornelius Walegerea and Project Manager for Tina River Hydro Development Project, Mr. Pradip Verma.
Mr. Alhamedi said that as a developing Pacific Island country, the Solomon Islands whilst anticipating economic growth, needs to consider providing the necessary infrastructure and public utilities such as electricity and roads to help the country in its growth and development.
Permanent Secretary Sagapoa said that whilst the country was paying one of the highest tariffs in the world as a result of the high cost of imported fossil fuel, the Solomon Islands was grateful to the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for assisting the country in its energy solutions development.
He further acknowledged the support provided by ADFD to the Tina River Hydro Development Project which is of national significance and one that has been a catalyst for the ‘Unification of the Nation”, as a post conflict tool or project to bring about peace and stability in the country.
Meanwhile, Project Manager for Tina River Hydro Mr. Pradip Verma said, “when the project is in operation, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 49500 tons equivalent carbon dioxide per annum and shall enable the Solomon Islands Government to meet and achieve its targets set in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change”.
Mr.Verma added, due to the impact of COVID-19 and other challenges faced, the completion of the project was delayed, and this resulted in additional costs.
He said this means that additional financing is needed to ensure it does not further increase the tariff to the customers.
The ADFD assured that they are ready to provide technical support and will be working closely with the Solomon Islands government through its Embassy in Abu Dhabi to further explore possible areas of support in the energy sector as well as in other areas.
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– MMERE Press Release