KPHL set to carry out electrification programme

KUMUL Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) is set to facilitate a gas-powered electrification programme for the Southern Highlands and Hela provinces.
According to a statement from the national oil company, the project started in March and was expected to be completed in 2021 at the cost of US$20 million (over K67 million).
KPHL said connecting Southern Highlands and Hela with electricity under the Southern Highlands-Hela rural electrification programme using gas from the two host provinces was part of the petroleum company’s vision to create value, opportunities, and maximise returns for Papua New Guineans.
KPHL said it was prioritising the two host provinces of the PNG LNG project which formed their core business.
The national gas company said it considered the rural electricity roll out plan as equally important as other developments, hence using the resource to support power generation and industrial and socioeconomic development and rural empowerment for communities across the country.
It said the rural electrification programme was part of complementing and enhancing the Government’s Medium Term Development Plan and Vision 2050 to provide 100 per cent of households across the country with access to electricity.