Continuous power outage in city an unfortunate situation: Duma

By GYNNIE KERO
State Enterprises Minister William Duma described the continuous power outages in Port Moresby as an “unfortunate” situation faced by city residents.
He told The National yesterday that the frequent blackouts in the city in recent days were because “all our transmission lines and equipment in substations are old”.
“We have to replace them,” he said.
“Over the years, we have not been able to reinvest in new equipment.”
He said they were awaiting more funding.
“We have been able to source funding with help from the Asian Development Bank.
“We are expecting the second tranche to come in around Christmas. We have plans and will start rehabilitating most of the problem areas or the entire transmission network that has been giving us problems.
“PNG Power Ltd has been able to identify the problem areas.”
PNG Power board chairman Moses Maladina said they had a plan to address legacy issues.
“For Port Moresby, by this afternoon (yesterday) the issue should be resolved,” he said.
Kumul Consolidated Holdings acting managing director Dr David Kavanamur said power supply was not the issue but the “evacuation of power onto the power grids”.
“We have to modernise to grids,” Dr Kavanamur said.