The overall initiative, known as the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project, is being developed by the Solomon Islands Government in partnership with the private sector.
Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the feasibility study requires SMEC to assess the viability of water sources, transmission and treatment for the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project, including the surrounding villages, and the facility’s sanitation and wastewater treatment and disposal requirements. SMEC’s services include demand forecasts for water supply and sewerage assessments, water supply options assessment, sanitation assessment, power supply requirements, economic and financial analyses, and environmental and social safeguards assessment.
The planned Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project is expected to create thousands of jobs, generate foreign direct investments and help provide economic security for the Solomon Islands. Technical design work on the project is expected to continue for the next 12 months, at which point the Solomons Government should be in a position to start thinking about choosing an investor.
“We are excited for this opportunity to contribute to this important project, which if shown to be feasible will have a big impact on the economy and people of the Solomon Islands,” said Norman Walker, SMEC’s ASEAN Urban Water Sector Manager. “We will leverage the proven capability of our team of international experts and SMEC’s experience in undertaking water supply and wastewater projects in the region to be able to deliver a detailed feasibility study to the client.”
SMEC has built strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders in the Solomon Islands since it started operating locally in 1977 and has delivered a number of projects in the water and environment, transport infrastructure, energy, urban and social development, education and governance and government advisory sectors. SMEC is currently working with Solomon Water on another project, the detailed engineering design of the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project – Phase 2.
Map showing Bina Harbour survey areas.
SMEC’s technical specialists are presenting technical papers at this year’s Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Specialists from SMEC’s Power and Energy team will deliver presentations at the 2023 All-Energy Conference in Melbourne. The annual conference is delivered in collaboration with the Clean Energy Council and grants attendees access to the most recent technology, information, and trends pertinent to professionals in the renewable energy sector.
SMEC has once again teamed up with the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children in Vietnam. This marks SMEC’s second collaboration with the Vietnam-based nongovernment organisation, and together, they are focused on building a vital kitchen facility for Thanh Long Kindergarten in Ha Giang province, Vietnam. This project aims to improve the lives of 70 underprivileged children.
Specialists from SMEC Dams & Hydropower and Geotech teams will deliver technical presentations at the 2023 ANCOLD Conference in Cairns. The annual conference highlights the essential role that dams play in sustaining humanity through methods of water supply, energy production and minerals processing.