Gas seen as part of the answer to power generation

By HELEN TARAWA
THE Government is committed to encouraging the development of the energy sector through power generation using gas, says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
He told the Petroleum and Energy Summit yesterday in Port Moresby that as the demand for electricity continued to increase, power generation using gas was important.
“Power generation using gas is very important today. We are thankful to ExxonMobil for allowing us to produce some power at the LNG plant,” he said.
“But we must expand on that because the power demand by our people and industries continue to increase. We continue to ensure that this demand is met with a
broad-based ability to provide energy using hydro, solar and wind powers.”
He said gas was one of the most important industries supporting the economy.
“I want to assure everyone that our government is responsible enough to ensure that there is stability in the industry,” he said.
“Any policy changes would be done in consultation with the industry, but we cannot continue to ignore the call by our people; they want a fairer return on their resources.”
O’Neill told the resource sector of PNG’s role in Apec and asked them to participate in Apec meetings.