Buin Leva Town, South Bougainville – Friday, 24th October 2025
Two high-impact projects, the Buin Solar Farm and Innovation Hub, were officially launched in Buin, South Bougainville on Friday, 24th October by the President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Hon. Ishmael Toroama. The initiatives aim to expand access to clean energy and empower local communities, marking a significant step forward in the region’s development.
Bougainville Power & Water Corporation Chairman and ABG Chief Secretary Mr. Kearnneth Nanei opened the event with an overview of the Solar Farm initiative, highlighting the recruitment of 22 local workers to operate the facility.
“Funding of Solar Farm came from the government of Japan, through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),” he stated, emphasizing the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s growing capacity in the energy sector.
Information and Communications Technology Minister and Member for South Bougainville Hon. Timothy Masiu delivered his remarks through his Second Secretary Mr John Itanu who emphasized onimportance of the two impact project on development and progress of South Bougainville and Bougainville as a whole.
“This innovation hub to be used by our women folk and other stakeholders is something that has been lacking for a long time,” Mr Itanu echoed.
“Our women are in dire need of a centre or a building like this that would be utilized as a focal point for them through-out the southern region. women will gather here to plan their programs and activites and hold their meetings from now on. and i want to see our women to fully utilize this magnificent building.”
Mr Itanu stated that Minister Masiu extended invitation to any donor agencies wanting to invest in South Bougainville extened his appreciation to the UNDP and the People and Government of Japan for providing these two high impact projects.
“Partnerships and friendships are important as we embrace each other to progress forward.”
Mr Itanu added that these projects will now complement the ADB-AUSAID funded level 4 district hospital and the Buin international market funded by the South Bougainville district development authority under Masiu’s leadership.
“Both these projects are currently under construction in Buin Leva town as you can see.”
Mr. Nicholas Booth, UNDP Resident Representative in PNG, tied the launch to the global celebration of the UN’s 80th anniversary.
“Our sustainable development goal worldwide is to bring about equal access to reliable energy to everyone,” he said.
“This Solar Farm will help bring down the cost of energy, making it an enabler to business and development… And the new Innovation Hub will unleash the power of women entrepreneurship… this will transform the economy here in Buin and South Bougainville.”
Japan’s Ambassador to PNG, His Excellency Mr. Mochizuki Hisanobi, reiterated the long-standing partnership between Japan and Bougainville.
“The launch of the Solar Farm and the Innovation Hub marks yet another milestone in the longstanding friendship between Japan and Bougainville,” he said.
He added that the Solar Farm’s 1 Megawatt generator will power the entire Buin township and that the Innovation Hub will provide digital and vocational training to women, youth, and entrepreneurs.
“This Solar farm will reduce dependency on fossil fuels and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” he added.
Autonomous Bougainville Government President Hon. Ishmael Toroama concluded the launch event with a call to action to all citizens of South Bougainville.
“I want to thank the government of Japan, and the United Nations through which the support to these impact projects came,” he said.
“I urge you all, our youth, to take ownership of the infrastructures and projects… Let us make Buin attractive for development to flourish.”