Enga draws up plans to use hydro-electricity to boost power

 By MALUM NALU

ENGA plans to boost its power supply by using its abundant but untapped sources of hydro-electricity.

It follows the completion of a feasibility study and concept drawings on the establishment of a project in Wabag. 

The study was done by Chinese company Guandong Foreign Construction (GDFC) PNG and draws on the resources of the fast-flowing Lai River, near Wabag. It was handed over to Governor Peter Ipatas last Friday.

It literally will be just what the doctor ordered, as Enga will soon get a brand-new hospital, which will need reliable electricity 24 hours a day.

“With the new hospital coming up, we need to have reliable power,” Ipatas said.

“We’re trying to be proactive by establishing a hydro-power station.

“The company has handed over the feasibility study and concept drawings so that we can hand it over to PNG Power to advise us.

“At the end of the day, if we are successful, we may sell electricity to PNG Power.”

GDFC director Zhao Guanghua said it was ironic that Enga had all the resources for hydro-electricity but suffered from continuous blackouts.

“Enga is the last province of the national grid and it suffers from a shortage of power,” he said.