12 Jun 2019

NZ company installing solar in remote parts of Solomons

5:21 pm on 12 June 2019

A New Zealand company is about to start a project to deliver renewable power to remote Solomon Islands communities.

solar panels

Photo: AFP

Infratec, in a joint venture with Fiji based, Clay Energy, will design and build four solar/diesel hybrid power plants in remote parts of Malaita, Makira, Choiseul and Western Province.

The projects will cost $US6.5 million dollars with funding from the New Zealand aid programme and Solomons Power.

Infratec chief executive, Greg Visser, said initially it will cater for over 1000 homes and businesses.

"We are not talking huge populations but to be able to change the quality of life for those people, especially on the outlying islands that we are targeting, so we are not targeting the main populated areas, certainly being able to change the lives of those folks on the outlying islands just makes such a difference."