Government supports use of clean energy in schools

SOLAR panels should be in all schools as it is line with Government’s policy of clean energy transition, Energy, Communication and Information Technology Minister Sam Basil says.
He said this when inspecting a solar panel facility which had been the subject of confusion between PNG Power Ltd and Mt Diamond Adventist Secondary School outside Port Moresby.
“There was a bit on confusion on the school negotiating with PNG Power Ltd to connect the main power grid to its solar panel facility,” Basil said.
“From the Energy and Government side, we are happy to see such an establishment.
“We would like to see many other schools in the country replicate it.
“Our Government is supporting this.
“They should now invest in clean energy. Solar panel represent clean energy. PNG is part of worldwide clean energy.
“We want to make sure that we do away with fossil fuel-generated energy.”
Basil said having a solar panel was just like having a stand-by generator and directed that connection should go ahead.
He commended the Korean government for funding the project at a cost of K2 million, saying the facility had the capacity to generate 20 kilo-volts.
“PPL’s jurisdiction stops at the main switch,” Basil said.
“After that, it is the consumers who can do whatever they want to, so long as safety guidelines are followed.”
Petroleum and Energy deputy secretary Vore Veve confirmed that PPL’s jurisdiction stopped where the main switch was, and after that, it was the consumers.
The school’s low electricity current had computers not being operational and water pressure low, forcing some students to vacate the premises in 2017.