Australia Awards Alumni Gain Critical Insights from Landmark Hydropower Project

Seventeen Australia Awards alumni from across the Solomon Islands have been learning firsthand from the Tina River Hydropower Development Project — Australia’s largest climate investment in the Pacific.

The alumni attended a workshop led by Project Manager Mr Pradip Verma, who delivered practical lessons from his experience managing the large-scale project. Participants explored key themes including project planning, community engagement, sustainability, and inclusive development.

Group photo of Australia Awards Alumni and guests who participated in the Infrastructure Workshop organised by Australia Awards Solomon Islands in partnership with the Tina River Hydropower Development Project.

The workshop was a joint initiative between Australia Awards Solomon Islands and the Tina River Hydropower Project Office, designed to strengthen local capacity to deliver major infrastructure projects.

Acting Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Andrew Schloeffel, praised the initiative and its participants:

“The Tina River Hydropower Development Project is a flagship renewable energy project in Solomon Islands. This workshop presents a great opportunity for the alumni to learn how the Project Office manages key elements of its construction, so they can apply this knowledge when they are supporting future nation-building projects across Solomon Islands.”

Project Manager of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project, Pradip Verma, facilitates the Infrastructure Workshop for 17 Australia Awards Alumni currently working in the infrastructure sector.

The cohort included eight women and nine men from infrastructure agencies and firms across Honiara and the provinces, with two participants travelling from remote areas.

Interactive sessions covered:

• Managing Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects
• Ensuring Community Benefit Sharing
• Integrating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)

Participants reflected on the value of learning from a real-world Solomon Islands project.

“This was an eye-opener,” said Piaitir Allan Steward, an alumnus from Temotu Province. “I now understand how infrastructure projects are planned and delivered – and how communities can get involved.”

June Kwanairara Maesia, an alumna working in fisheries, said:

“Even though I’m not from an infrastructure background, the workshop showed how well-managed projects can benefit other sectors and contribute to national development.”

This initiative reflects Australia’s ongoing commitment to supporting Solomon Islanders through Australia Awards—building professional, technical, and leadership skills to meet the country’s future infrastructure needs.

Australia has contributed SBD 402 million to the Tina River Hydropower Development. This includes financing from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific of a 22km transmission line connecting the hydropower site to Honiara’s electricity grid.

Danny Maefengea, an Australia Awards alumnus working in the infrastructure sector, presents a token of appreciation to Pradip Verma, Project Manager of the Tina River Hydropower Project, for facilitating the workshop.

The Tina River Hydropower Development Project is co-financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Asian Development Bank, Government of Australia, Green Climate Fund, Korea EX-IM Economic Development Cooperation Fund and World Bank.