Govt pays K1mil for generator to address blackouts

THE East Sepik government has paid K1 million to PNG Power Ltd (PPL) for a generator in order to resolve the province’s regular blackouts.
Last month, Governor Allan Bird presented the cheque to PPL acting chief executive officer Obed Batia.
Bird said the funding was from the provincial services improvement programme funds following a request from PNG Power for a 2.5 megawatt generator.
“PNG Power came to the East Sepik government with a request to help purchase a 2.5 MW medium speed power generator to provide reliable, stable power on the Sepik grid from Wewak to Maprik,” he said.
“This will take the total available power to 6MW in Wewak.”
Batia noted that this was the first arrangement PPL had with a provincial government.
It is understood the East Sepik Government has also been in discussions over the past few years to look at standalone grids in Angoram, Ambunti, Yambi and Dreikikier.