Change of fuel type having minimal impact supplier: Tokome

By CLARISSA MOI
THE change from diesel to liquefied natural gas (LNG) for power generation will have minimal impact on Puma Energy PNG Ltd, says country general manager and director Hulala Tokome.
He told The National that the 58-megawatt gas-fired power plant developed by NiuPower Ltd and the 45 megawatt Dirio gas-fired project coming online to assist PNG Power Ltd in providing power would not affect Puma.
“Both NiuPower and Dirio coming on line will be great for both PNG and Puma Energy,” he said.
“The change from diesel to LNG (liquefied natural gas) for power generation will have minimal impact on Puma Energy as we can now use this capacity to service other markets. “Puma Energy partners with PNG Power in supplying energy to all parts of the country given our extensive supply network,” Tokome said.
The NiuPower gas-fired power station owned by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd and Oil Search Ltd, was commissioned last December and is set to address Port Moresby’s power challenge, according to State Enterprise Minister Sasindran Muthuvel.
Meanwhile, the Dirio gas and power project is owned by the people of Hela, Southern Highlands, Central and Gulf and is on track for completion, according to general manger Ashok Jain.
Both power stations are in Port Moresby.
Tokome added: “We had a strong year in 2019 some highlights included upgrades to our terminal and aviation facilities across PNG, improve our supply chain reliability to our commercial and retail customers, creating close to 500 MSME’s (micro small medium entreprises) through our PumaGas product.
“And in August, we completed a successful refinery T&I (turnaround and inspection) which we were also recognised globally for this achievement within the Puma Energy group for our safe delivery of this project.
“We now have the capability of supplying 100 per cent of the country’s fuel requirements through the refinery facility.”