Executive outlines mid-term projects to provide electricity

PNG Power Ltd acting chief executive officer Douglas Mageo has listed some of the mid-term projects to generate electricity in the country.
He said apart from Niu Power, the new 45MW gas-powered station Dirio being built is expected to be commissioned in early 2020.
Mageo said for the Gazelle grid, Warangoi was being rehabilitated and expected to return to service in September next year.
For Ramu, rehabilitation work to restore Ramu One to 60MW is underway. Work to restore the Yonki Toe Of Dam (YTOD) is in progress with the assistance from the Asian Development Bank, AUSAid and Entura.
Mageo said for Kimbe, the Ru-Creek (800kW) and Lake Hargy Hydro (1500kW) should be commissioned this month.
“Divune is a new 3MW hydro power station in Popondetta that is expected to be commissioned this year,” he said.
He said for the long term, some renewable energy such as hydro and solar projects were underway.
“The Samarai solar project is underway and we are working to have centers like Wewak, Alotau and Vanimo switched to hydro and the smaller centres transition to solar.”