AN Australian company Pelena Energy is hoping to establish 500 village electrification projects in the country.
Peter Lynch, Managing Director Pelena Energy, said his company has been negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Solomon Islands Government for the last few years.
“The MoU is presently up to revision 44. Pelena’s “Planned Activities” include, in part, the establishment of over 500 village electrification projects (hydro, coconut-oil-fuelled, and solar) coupled to income generation for sustainability” he said.
He explained that a significant portion of the funding for this project would be private investment, as we have been unable to date to source aid funds for such remote income generating projects.
“These projects would be outside of the present government-owned electricity supply areas yet would provide substantial on-site training for many throughout Solomon Islands.
“Whilst electric lighting provides one of the most beneficial outcomes of electrification, without income generation the systems cannot be maintained.
“Pelena Energy plans to partner with communities for a sustainable and equitable future as part of our Planned Activities,” he said.
Early February this year Pelena Energy successful completed a micro-hydro project at the Masupa community in south Malaita, which enabled the community to generate its first renewable energy electricity using a Pelena Energy micro-hydro.
Pelena Energy is an Australian engineering company based at Dorrigo, in northern NSW, Australia.
Specialising in remote energy systems, Pelena has been installing mini hyrdo systems in rural areas in the Solomon Islands since 1998.
Currently there are five hydro systems in the country utilising Pelena turbines and equipment, all of which are in remote locations and service villages of up to 1000 people.
The company is now developing bio-fuels from fresh coconuts.
With the support of Enterprise Challenge Fund (ECF), Pelena will establish a bio-fuel production facility on Kolombangara Island in the Western Province.
An oil extraction facility will be established to produce around 80,000 litres of bio-fuel each year.
The project will provide a source of income for up to 160 local landowners by sourcing coconuts through them.
Fuel will be sold to local businesses and institutions, with the latter being provided with a service/ maintenance package.
By MOFFAT MAMU
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