PNG Power working to fix faults, says Bais

ACTING chief executive officer of PNG Power Limited Chris Bais says the company is working closely with relevant stakeholders to provide a permanent solution to faults continuously experienced on line 545.
In a statement, Bais said the PortMoresby system experienced a total power outage last Thursday night at 8.15pm following a fault on line 545 which connects power supply between the LNG gas plant, Kanudi and Moitaka power stations.
“The outage, which affected the city and surrounding areas, occurred when there was a transformer fault on the Waigani Feeder 4 which resulted in load-shedding and affected Gerehu, Morata, Waigani, Tokarara and Ensisi Valley.”
Bais said the Port Moresby system experienced 10 outages since the commissioning of line 545 in 2015 due to technical issues that have been sorted out.
“The line was built to cater for the 25 mega watt supply from the LNG gas plant to the Port Moresby grid for the 2015 Pacific Games.
“The transmission lines and feeder that tripped were related to current differential protection and overload due to the power swing through the Waigani substation.
“This also caused generators in the power stations to trip.
“Thus, PPL is working closely with relevant stakeholders to put in place necessary technical plans and arrangements that will minimise the issue and provide a permanent solution to faults continuously experienced on line 545.”