Capital to benefit from new supply

National

THE commissioning of a 58 megawatt gas-fired power plant on Friday is expected to boost the power supply to Port Moresby once it comes into full operation next year.
Prime Minister James Marape, launching the NiuPower plant – an independent power producer – on Friday in Port Moresby said the plan was to achieve electricity accessibility to between 50 per cent and 70 per cent of the people by 2025.
He thanked NiuPower for building the plant to ensure cheaper and cleaner energy.
Marape said the intention of the 2020 budget passed last Thursday was to unlock and unleash the “great potential of our country not just in mining, oil and gas but in sustainable economic sectors like agriculture, forestry, fisheries and manufacturing and downstream processing”.
Marape called on Dirio, another independent power producer, and NiuPower not to compete but to complement each other.
“These two projects are the start of transformation that will take place in this country.
“Cheaper energy connotes to transformation in our country.
“With this 58 MW coming out, I don’t want any blackouts coming from PPL (PNG Power Ltd).”