Solar-powering healthcare and education in Solomon Islands’ Malaita, Western and Isabel communities
REnew Pacific’s first project is set to benefit over 81,000 people in Solomon Islands by providing clean, renewable energy to power healthcare, education and essential services.
Led by Superfly, a Solomon Islands-based solar energy company, the two-year project will install a solar hybrid system at Atoifi Adventist Hospital in Solomon Islands’ Eastern Malaita province, a key healthcare facility serving 80,000 people. This will provide reliable energy for critical medical services, including emergency care and maternity, and power the hospital’s nursing school, which trains over half of the country’s nurses.
Goldie College in Western Province and Sir Dudley Tuti College in Isabel Province will also receive new solar hybrid systems, enabling extended learning hours, safer campuses and better supervision for over 1,400 students and staff.
The project will also reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to Solomon Islands’ national renewable energy, climate change and development ambitions.
Partners
Superfly Limited is a locally-owned supplier of quality solar systems in the Solomon Islands.
Atoifi Adventist Hospital provides medical services, including emergency care, maternity and medical training in Eastern Malaita, Solomon Islands.
Goldie College is a secondary boarding school with 600 boarders, is located on Vangunu Island within Marovo Lagoon in Western Province.
Sir Dudley Tuti College is a secondary boarding school in Isabel Province.
About this project
Atoifi Adventist Hospital in Eastern Malaita Province
This project will install solar hybrid energy systems at Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Goldie College and Sir Dudley Tuti College, ensuring reliable 24/7 electricity supply to power essential services, including healthcare and education.
Each institution currently relies on diesel generators, leading to high fuel costs, limited operational hours, and disruptions in service delivery. The transition to solar energy will reduce diesel consumption by up to 95% providing a cost-effective and climate-resilient power solution.
The project will benefit over 80,000 people in Eastern Malaita by ensuring continuous power at Atoifi Adventist Hospital for critical medical services, including emergency care maternity and medical training. Over 1,400 students at Goldie College and Sir Dudley Tuti College will also benefit from extended study hours, improved learning conditions and enhanced safety through reliable power for dormitories and classrooms.
The solar hybrid systems will significantly improve the educational environment and healthcare outcomes while contributing to Solomon Islands’ goals of energy security and sustainability.
Context
Solomon Islands faces significant challenges in providing reliable electricity to rural and remote communities, particularly in Malaita, Western and Isabel Provinces. Atoifi Adventist Hospital, which serves over 80,000 people, has been struggling with power shortages that hinder its ability to provide essential medical services.
Goldie College and Sir Dudley Tuti College, both located in remote areas of Western and Isabel provinces, also face energy limitations, impacting student safety and study hours, which impacts overall learning outcomes.
Diesel generators have been the primary power source at these institutions, but they are costly to operate and cannot meet the continuous energy needs required for healthcare and education.
To address this, this REnew Pacific project will deliver solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and hybrid inverters to each site. The standardised system design will ensure long-term sustainability, lower maintenance costs and provide a more reliable and affordable power supply, with maintenance built into the planning. In addition to the environmental benefits of reduced diesel usage, the project is also aligned with Solomon Islands’ National Energy Policy, the Ministry of Health’s strategic goals and the National Education Action Plan, helping to create a more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure for these remote areas.
This project represents a transformative shift for Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Goldie College, and Sir Dudley Tuti College, delivering sustainable, 24/7 power while significantly reducing diesel dependence. Through this REnew Pacific project, we’re not just installing solar systems, we’re building long-term energy resilience, lowering operational costs and improving essential services for thousands of people in remote Solomon Islands communities.
– Gavin Pereira
Director, Superfly Limited
Reliable electricity will be a game-changer for our hospital. With 24-hour solar power, we can ensure safer surgeries, consistent vaccine refrigeration and uninterrupted maternity care, directly improving the health outcomes for the 80,000 people we serve. This project, made possible through the Australian Government’s REnew Pacific program, is a life-saving investment in our community’s future.
– Lester Asugeni
Community representative Atoifi Hospital Board, Atoifi Adventist Hospital
For years, our students have faced significant challenges due to limited electricity access. The REnew Pacific solar hybrid system will empower our students with safer dormitories, extended study hours and access to digital learning tools. It is a monumental step toward a brighter future for education in Solomon Islands.
– Deidre Zeke
Principal, Goldie College
This project provides long-term energy security for our college, reducing our reliance on expensive diesel while ensuring that students and teachers have the power they need to learn, teach and grow. With the support of the Australian Government’s REnew Pacific program, we are making a lasting investment in education and sustainability in our province.
– Fr. Oshley Nabagna
School Principal, Sir Dudley Tuti College