The Malatoha Women’s Association is exploring opportunities to expand its participation in the Tina River Hydropower Development Project, building on an existing arrangement to supply fresh produce to the project workforce.
The association’s fruit and vegetable supply partnership was among the key issues discussed during a meeting with its executive members at Chichinge Community in Malango.
Representatives from the Tina River Hydropower Development Project Office, Solomon Power, SMEC, Reeves Envico and Hyundai Engineering Company attended the consultation.
The existing supply arrangement has connected women producers in the Malango region with the project’s workforce, allowing association members to participate in the local supply chain and generate income from agricultural activities.
The women also discussed potential opportunities linked to the project’s transmission line component, which is being implemented by Solomon Power.
Project representatives provided updates on transmission line activities and discussed possible areas for participation, including services, business, food supply and training.
The meeting also allowed the association’s executive members to assess its progress and identify areas where additional support, skills and training could strengthen its capacity to engage with current and future project opportunities.
The consultation forms part of monthly engagements under the project’s Gender Component with women’s associations in project-affected communities.
The engagements provide women with project updates, direct access to project stakeholders and an opportunity to identify practical ways to participate in project activities.
The consultations are expected to continue across project-affected communities, with the next engagement planned with the Bahomea Women’s Association.
The Tina River Hydropower Development Project is the Solomon Islands’ first large-scale renewable energy project and is intended to support more affordable electricity and access to cleaner and more reliable energy.
