Hydro power deal inked
The National, Tuesday 4th June 2013
By GYNNIE KERO
ONCE operational, the Ramu hydro power project will power mining and industrial development, Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) managing director Wasantha Kumarasiri says.
He said this in Port Moresby yesterday at the signing of a consultancy agreement with Parsons Brinkerhoff Australia Pty Ltd.
Prefeasibility studies of the Ramu 2 hydro power project began in January 2011 and concluded in April last year.
Kumarasiri said: “The signing of the agreement now allows Parsons Brinkerhoff to carry out a full detailed feasibility study on the Ramu project.
“IPBC foresees a budget estimate of K30 million to undertake the study.
“The Ramu 2 hydro power project aimed to optimise utilisation of water resource within Yonki reservoir to generate additional (120-180 megawatts), displace highcost diesel generation and meet increasing load demands.
“The project proponents will seek to generate and market electricity with the northern region of Papua New Guinea and supply the grid with the normal load growth.”
Parsons Brinkerhoff, general manager Paul Gleeson, said: “We are doing it as a consortium, with local partner Kramer Ausenco.
“It is a very significant project for PNG and we are proud to be a part of.
“The main goal for us is to produce is clean and safe power for Papua New Guinea”.
Feasibility study is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of next year and the construction phase will take more than four years.