Dirio to supply power to PPL’s Port Moresby grid

NATIONALLY-OWNED independent power producer Dirio Gas and Power Ltd will supply power to PNG Power Ltd’s (PPL) Port Moresby grid starting this Saturday, Dirio chairman Isaac Lupari says.
Directors of Dirio and PPL signed an agreement last week to provide power to PPL’s grid.
Dirio built and commissioned a 45 mega-watt (MW) power plant at Caution Bay in Central in November last year but was unable to supply electricity due to PPL not building a transmission line nor having sufficient capacity and stability on the existing transmission line to take the full supply as per the Power Purchase Agreement.
Dirio and PPL worked together to resolve the Port Moresby grid transmission network stability issue, and on Oct 20, signed another significant agreement which allows the supply of power to begin on Oct 30.
“This is the first phase of the full implementation of the agreement,” Lupari said at the signing.
“There has been some delay due to technical issues, but those have now been resolved, and I thank our directors and everyone for being patient.
“This business is owned by landowners.
“I am proud that our people are getting into the downstream processing business.
“Our aim is to provide stable, affordable power to consumers in the capital city, and generate sustainable income from the business,” Lupari said.
Hela Governor Philip Undialu, representing the landowners and provincial governments who own Dirio said it was a bold decision to get into the power business.
“For too long, we have left it to foreigners to dominate the electricity sector in PNG. That must change. Papua New Guineans must get into this sector and I am glad we have taken the bold stand with this initiative,” Undialu said.
He thanked the board and management of Mineral Resources Development Company and Dirio for working hard to deliver the project.
Dirio is owned by PNG LNG Project landowners and the Hela, Southern Highlands, Gulf, and Central governments.