Power generation adequate, distribution and transmission challenge: acting PPL CEO, Nehemiah Naris
PNG Power Limited has clarified that the power generation capacity currently available in the Port Moresby grid is more than enough to supply the capital city.
The acting CEO Nehemiah Naris says power generation is not the issue - rather, the transmission and distribution aspect of it:
"We have our own internal generation, that's the Rouna system, the Moitaka and Kanudi but we also have strong support from our independent power producers, that's Dirio, Niupower and Edevu.
"The installed generation currently we have at our disposal in the Port Moresby grid is more than enough to supply Port Moresby. We have about 174 megawatts of installed capacity that we can easily turn on anytime when we are required to. But our demand at the moment is picking around 140 megawatts so we've got that 30 0r 40 megawatts buffer", Mr Naris said.
Over 75-million kina has already been released to PNG Power Limited to repair aging infrastructure and undertake various other projects.
This is from the 2024 budget of more than 649 million kina, from which 447 million will go towards construction, renovation and improvements.
Mr Naris told NBC News, initial works started from October to November with vegetation clearance which has greatly improved reliability:
"We've been able to undertake that. That has greatly improved reliability in our city.
"We are now investing into transformers as well, all those distribution transformers.
"We've been there for a long time. The company doesn't have the money to maintain that, but thanks to the government, now this is possible. We are changing those transformers.
"We are investing in new switches that will allow us to switch loads when we are required to, if there's a fault on the line. These are things that the energy power previously we were not able to do, but with that support, strong support from the government, we're able to do that. And also, I just touched on the feeders that we are building, " the acting CEO said.
Port Moresby has two new feeders
The chronic power outages in the capital and provinces continues to cause public outcry with damaging effects on businesses and residents with calls for the state entity to do better.
PNG Power Limited maintains it's doing its best to repair infrastructure and work towards restoring electricity supply to customers.
Work is being undertaken by PNG Power Limited to have additional feeders built in the capital city to cater for the increasing demand and expansion of business and residential areas.
The Port Moresby Central Business District has had constant power outages these past weeks due to a faulty transformer at the Konedobu substation.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the newly installed transformer is in operation enabling load shedding to cease for these areas.
Mr Naris says developments at the Harbor city across to Paga Hill and other surrounding town areas will see a boost with these two new express feeders out of the new Kilakila substation.
He says the use of a first ever high voltage cable will be run underground from Koki to Crown hotel:
"You'll note there's developments taking place from Harbour City across to Paga Hill and we take note of that, and we are building two new express feeders out of our new Kilakila substation on the south side.
"That's coming from Sabama-Kaugere to Badili and eventually to Koki where it will be one of our first high voltage cable to go underground. It will terminate near the Crowne Hotel.
"So, what will happen, it will relieve the load from the Kone substation so in the future if we have a similar instance like this, we can always rely on the Kilakila substation to supply the Pom CBD", the PPL CEO said during the Kone substation media tour on Tuesday this week.