Aust adds support for power upgrade

Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp recently joined the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Minister for Technical Services, Joseph Kim Suwamaru, to announce Australia’s support to upgrade PNG Power Ltd (PPL) electricity grids in Bougainville.
The K50 million upgrades will support work to improve restructure and transition grids in Buka and Arawa to renewable energy.
Philp announced the new project from the PPL power station site in Buka. “The upgrades are designed to connect businesses and communities to reliable, affordable and renewable electricity, as well as providing long-term capacity solutions and reducing operating costs,” Philp said. These critical upgrades to the Buka and Arawa grids will connect people in neighbouring areas to more reliable electricity.
The Australian High Commission, in a statement, said in the short term, Australia would provide urgent upgrades valued at about K9.6 million.
This will include the hire of temporary diesel generators to improve electricity capacity.
In the longer term, Australia will provide new diesel generators, as well as explore options for renewable and low emission technology such as battery energy storage systems to meet the electricity needs.
Hybrid diesel and renewable power will make power cheaper and greener, with benefits for the economy and environment.
“Electricity powers local businesses and improves many facets of people’s everyday lives, such as access to health care, education, food security and gender equality,” Philp said.
“Australia is committed to supporting Bougainville’s economic prosperity by identifying ways to improve its electricity grid.”
The upgrades are part of Australia’s commitments under the PNG electrification partnership.
Through the partnership, PNG, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States are working together to help PNG meet its goal of connecting 70 per cent of the country to electricity by 2030.