Chinese Government provides RMB 50 million grant for Somosomo Hydropower Station Project

Project narrative

On September 29, 2010, Changjiang Institute of Survey, Planning, Design, and Research (CISPDR) dispatched an expert team to donut a final feasibility study of the Somosomo Hydropower Station Project. They conducted an on-site evaluation and communicated with the Prime Minister’s Office of Fiji and other government departments. Then, on October 15, 2010, the Chinese Government and the Government of Fiji signed an agreement to restart the Somosomo Hydropower Station Project, which had been in a state of abeyance due to environmental, social, and land acquisition concerns. By early 2011, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was complete, but the final design of the project was not yet complete. On September 18, 2013, the Chinese Government and the Government of Fiji signed an RMB 50 million grant agreement for the Somosomo Hydropower Station Project. The purpose of the project was to construct a dam — and a 5 km access road — near the village of Somosomo on the island of Taveuni and supply electricity to 10 villages on the island, the main commercial center in Taveuni, a number of hotels and boarding schools, and Waiyevo Government Station. Upon completion, the project was expected to generate 750KW of power through 2x375kW hydro generators. The electricity from the Somosomo Power Station was to be transmitted via the two 11 kV transmission lines towards Wairiki in the South and towards Weilagi in the North. The two transmission lines are approximately 10km each in length and they have distribution transformers supplying customers at low voltage levels. The installation of these transmission lines and distribution transformers was also part of the project scope (financed by the Chinese Government). Hunan Construction Engineering Group Corporation was the contractor responsible for implementation. The project commenced on December 23, 2013. However, a formal groundbreaking ceremony did not take place until July 2014. The project was ultimately completed on April 21, 2016. The power plant was officially commissioned on March 2, 2017. Prior to the completion of this project, the island of Taveuni was heavily reliant on diesel powered generators. The power plant was expected to save the county FJD 1.9 million in diesel fuel import costs every year.