The Brenwe Hydro Project will include a run of river hydropower station, with a generation capacity of a 422kW, from twin impulse turbines. The main elements of the scheme are the intake weir, three phase transmission cable (to public road) and access roads to the intake, forebay and powerhouse.

The hydropower station will be located on the Brenwei River, approximately 4.5km north of Brenwe village in Northwest Malekula.

The value of the contract is US$5.84 million (approximately Vt700 million), funded jointly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Strategic Climate Fund and the Vanuatu Government.

The first part of the project will see construction of a hydro-power plant at a 30-hectare property acquired by the Government within Brenwe. 

The second phase of the project – which will be procured through a separate tendering process, will see distribution of grid extensions on Malekula to villages in and around Brenwe, Unmet, Leviamp, Lambumbu and Laravet.

The project is scheduled to be completed by early 2022 and, will have the following outputs:
(i) distribution grid extension in Malekula island
(ii) Brenwe Hydropower Project (BHPP) in Malekula
(iii) capacity building
(iv) efficient project management services.

Vanuatu Project Management Unit are providing management oversight of the project, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and the Department of Energy.

DOE Project Profile

Litzlitz wharf provides the main lifeline infrastructure for the 23,000 persons living on Malekula with the bulk of commodities exported via the wharf. Cargo for the government services and local businesses is imported through Litzlitz Wharf.  The rehabilitation of the Litzlitz wharf will boost international trade for Malekula. Malekula has been identified as a producer of high grade organic cocoa which supports the livelihood of many of the communities. 

Repairs and rehabilitation works including the construction of a new barge landing ramp are now needed as more ships call into Litzlitz. The provision of the ramp will enable larger volumes of cargo to be handled and obviate the need for the Public Works Department (PWD) to dump coral to form a temporary landing ramp at every barge call. The demand for barges servicing Malekula is becoming more common due in part to poor wharf facilities.  

The rehabilitation works will be carried out inside the existing Litzlitz wharf boundaries, which is on leased land and accordingly land dispute issues and disruption to works are not expected. The local communities have identified one site within the vicinity of the site that has cultural significance but will not be affected by construction. The worksite and work area is located on previously disturbed area, and as such the project will have minimal environmental impacts.

Potential environmental impacts that may occur during construction include (i) pollution of water and water resources, (iii) pollution of marine and terrestrial environments, (iv) noise and vibration from construction, (v) dust and (vi) accidents to surrounding communities. These impacts and mitigation measures would be understood by competent project managers and contractors who are familiar with Best Construction Practices and Workplace Health and Safety requirements.  Maintenance and management of the Litzlitz Wharf is lacking, and responsibilities are not clearly defined. Workable maintenance management systems need to be developed. Waste management and traffic control into the wharf is also not managed properly, and have been identified as areas needing improvement in this sub-project. The overall wharf operation needs improvement. 

Major stakeholders responsible for the operation of the wharf require training and capacity building in managing environmental and operational issues of the wharf.  The initial environmental examination (IEE) and environmental management and monitoring plan (EMP) that has been prepared for the rehabilitation of the Litzlitz wharf concludes that there are no outstanding environmental issues remaining and that no further environmental assessment is required. 

The Community of Tautu village on Central Malekula had been part of the first consultation concerning the Norsup Airport upgrade, which took place yesterday.

The consultation was purposely to inform the custom land owners and people of Tautu about the government’s plans for the upgrade and it was also an opportunity for community to express their concerns regarding this project.
The first consultation came about following the government’s announcement to commit Vt500, 000 million towards this airport upgrade project.

The upgrade will include a new terminal, erection of fencing around the compound of the airport. There are possibilities that the government will acquire more land to allow for extension of the existing runway, to be able to accommodate the ATR 72 aircraft.

Communications Officer to Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU), Antoine Malsungai confirmed the outcome of the first consultation was good. The people and custom land owners who were present were happy with what was discussed.

Discussions also touched on compensation for the land.

The consultation team comprised of the Civil Aviation Authority representative, Assistant Director, Mrs. Naiany Karu, Principal Architect for PWD, Judicael Mulonturala and Principal Compliance Officer for MIPU, Jonah Mesau.
A report from the discussions would be submitted to the National Project Coordinating Committee for further deliberations.