Companies generate their own power

By SHEILA LASIBORI
PORT Moresby residents may face fewer power disruptions this year – thanks to six major companies, who have been generating their own power and are expected to do so until PNG Power fixes its problems.
Since last month, Ashton Brunswick, Credit Corporation, Kenmore Group of Companies, Goodman Fielder International, SP Brewery and Pacific Place had been generating their own power even when there was electricity supply available.
The six megawatts meant for their premises have been diverted to other areas.
Chief executive officer of PNG Power Patrick Mara said PNG Power made a proposal to the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce in April last year and the six companies stepped forward.
“The load sharing with these business houses is seen as a form of assistance to PNG Power’s service to ensure that the reliability of the electricity service provided in the city is maintained and is efficient,” he said.
“We will compensate them (companies) with an offset to their fuel price as they produce electricity using their generator sets.”
The arrangement is expected to continue until March at least, when repairs on some of PNG Power’s electricity-generating machines are completed.
Mr Mara said most of the equipment were currently undergoing repairs, including a gas turbine at Rouna and diesel and hydraulic machinery.
He said the system was introduced after a “demand side management” inspection was made on all business houses and properties in the city in relation to power quality and strategic management of power supply during peak hours (9.30am to 3.30pm).
The inspection team also identified some customers whose capacitors would be installed to cater for their own reactive power demand.
This was aimed at sustaining power quality from the PNG Power’s system.
With the capacitors, it was hoped that the peak allowable loading would be increased when needed, the capacity for useful current on distribution lines would be freed, and operating temperatures of the power lines and transformers would be reduced thus increasing equipment life, among others.