Concrete Pouring Begins for Main Dam of Solomon Islands' 15 MW Tina River Hydropower Station

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 26, the 15 MW Tina River Hydropower Project in Solomon Islands commenced roller-compacted concrete (RCC) pouring for the main dam. According to the construction schedule announced on October 28, the contractor will complete 67 layers of RCC placement by the end of February 2027, raising the dam construction elevation from 115 meters to 135 meters. The project is being developed and constructed with the participation of Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) and Hyundai Engineering & Construction, and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

The main dam adopts the roller-compacted concrete construction method. In this phase, each layer is placed at a thickness of 0.3 meters, for a cumulative construction height of approximately 20 meters. The elevation of 135 meters is the target construction elevation for this phase, consistent with the crest elevation of the upstream RCC cofferdam. Upon completion of this phase, the contractor will also need to address the excavation and stability issues of the right abutment of the main dam before proceeding with subsequent dam construction.

In parallel with the main dam pouring, the headrace tunnel works are undergoing shield launch preparation. The tunnel boring machine named "ROTIMA" has completed cutterhead assembly, and the cutterhead has entered the tunnel portal, approximately 1.4 meters from the end of the already excavated 33.5-meter section, while the remaining equipment components are still being installed. Tunnel segment linings are being tested at the factory and are scheduled to arrive at Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands, by the end of November, with tunnel excavation planned to commence on December 9.

The Tina River Hydropower Station is located near the capital Honiara and is planned to include a dam with a height of 71.5 meters, a headrace tunnel approximately 3.3 kilometers long, and an underground powerhouse, equipped with three turbine-generator units each with a capacity of 5 MW. Supporting works include a double-circuit 66 kV transmission line and approximately 21.5 kilometers of construction and permanent access roads.

The project is promoted by the Government of Solomon Islands, developed by Tina Hydropower Limited, and implemented with the participation of Korea Water Resources Corporation and Hyundai Engineering & Construction. Supporting financing comes from the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the Green Climate Fund, the Australian Government, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and relevant Korean financing institutions. The project adopts a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model, and upon completion, the station will supply power to the Honiara grid.