PNG Power carrying out load-shedding in Lae

LOAD-shedding is being carried out in Lae city and surrounding areas because of a shortfall in generation capacity and faults in the transmission lines.
According to PNG Power, a unit at the Ramu hydro-power station was taken off line because of a fault.
The problem was compounded with faults on the transmission line carrying power supply from the Baiune hydro-power station at Bulolo in Morobe and Pauanda in Western Highlands.
The Baiune and Pauanda hydro-power stations supplement the supply from the Ramu station with 10mw and 5mw respectively.
They supply electricity to Lae, Madang and the Highlands centres.
Currently, electricity in Lae is being supplied by the diesel power stations at Taraka and Milfordhaven.
But they have a combined generation capacity of 17mw which is not sufficient to meet Lae’s demand of 38mw.
Thus, load-shedding is being carried out until the faults are corrected.