Australia, in partnership with the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company (SISCC), is supporting development of a second international submarine telecommunications cable for Solomon Islands – the Adamasia Cable System 1.

Strengthening Solomon Islands’ digital connectivity

Solomon Islands

Signed and Announced

Type:
Telecommunications Investment:
USD72.71 million (equivalent to AUD104 million) Project name:
Adamasia Cable System 1

Delivery partners

Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company Limited

The 1,015-kilometre-long cable will interconnect with Google’s Bulikula system, part of Pacific Connect, and along with the Coral Sea Cable System will provide uninterrupted international connectivity for Solomon Islands, should one international cable in the network experience a failure.

The financing package includes a contribution of AUD 1.8 million from the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Facility Partnership for off-grid electricity generation and storage at the cable landing station.

Up to 100 local jobs

created

1,015-kilometre-long

submarine cable branch system

The Adamasia Cable System 1 will enhance the resilience of Solomon Islands’ international submarine cable network, and unlock new economic and social opportunities for businesses and government in health, education, tourism and e-services.

Enhanced resilience

and connectivity

Adamasia Cable Launch - Prime Minister Manele, Minister Ramofafia and Assistant Minister Green witnessing the signatures of CEO SISCC and AIFFP Representative

Adamasia Cable Launch - Group photo with Prime Minister Manele and Solomon Islands Ministerial Delegation, Solomon Islands' High Commissioner HE Robert Sisilo, Australian High Commissioner HE Rod Hilton, CEO SISCC and AIFFP Representative

Adamasia Cable Launch - Prime Minister Manele and CEO SISCC inspecting the Solomon Islands Cable board and Adamasia Cable route

AIFFP contribution

USD72.71 million (equivalent to AUD104 million)

	Amount (AUD million)	Amount (USD million)	Fixed OR variable interest rate	Tenor
Loan (AIFFP)	$31.93 mil	$22.35 mil	1.00% p.a. fixed	Up to 40 years
Grant (AIFFP)	$70.14 mil	$49.1 mil	n/a	n/a
Grant (PCIFP)	$1.8 mil	$1.26 mil	n/a	n/a

Impact

Across all of its projects, AIFFP prioritises lasting development and economic outcomes for people and communities. AIFFP’s approach is guided by five impact areas: local content; climate resilience; social and environmental safeguards; gender equality, disability and social inclusion; and quality and integrity.

Climate

Recent severe weather events across the Pacific, including the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai undersea volcano eruption, underscore the importance of digital resilience in the region. To mitigate climate risks, the AIFFP financing package includes an off-grid electricity generation and storage capability to meet the electricity demands of the cable system.

Local content

The project will support the creation of up to 100 local jobs as part of the civil construction works.