Faulty line causes blackout

By HELEN TARAWA
PORT Moresby and surrounding areas experienced a blackout for about an hour yesterday because of a faulty line, according to PNG Power Ltd.
Acting chief executive officer Douglas Mageo told The National that the blackout was caused by a faulty line which “triggered” the machines at the ExxonMobil power plant and the Daewoo power station in Kanudi.
“The blackout was because a line was down and one ExxonMobil machine and another Daewoo machine were both down,” he said.
“There is load-shedding going on until the ExxonMobil and Daewoo machines are back online.”
Meanwhile, Mageo said the fuel payment issue with the Government had been resolved after the K50 million outstanding bills were settled.
“The power issue currently happening is due to generation problems but on the fuel problem, everything is back to normal now.
“On a monthly basis, we are checking with the Government our payments.”
State Enterprises Minister Sasindran Muthuvel also said the Government was keen to work with independent power producers (IPP) for power generation in major centres to replace diesel and heavy fuel.
He said in response to questions on NiuPower and the Dirio gas-powered projects that PNG Power would focus on transmission and distribution.
NiuPower is owned by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (50 per cent) and Oil Search.
Dirio is owned by landowners through the Mineral Resources Development Company.
Both are IPPs which will supply power to PNG Power.
“This will enable PPL to shut down its diesel and heavy fuel generators to reduce pollution and supply over 80MWs to the Port Moresby grid once both are ready.
“It will help PPL to address tariff reduction.”