Load shedding plans revealed

PNG Power Ltd (PPL) will be conducting major load shedding and disconnection exercises throughout the country this week.
According to a statement, the decision was made in order to manage power usage in some areas and also because various companies owed dues to the power supplier.
“We are just like any other corporate organisation that requires a continuous cash flow to circulate to help us run our operations,” it said.
“There are major outstanding dues from our large customers that have really hindered us in attending to the company’s necessary business needs and we are managing where we can.”
Load shedding will mainly be carried out in areas where PNG Power considers as C classed provincial centres.
“These centres include Aitape, Alotau, Arawa, Bialla, Buka, Central, Daru, Finschhaffen, Kerema, Kimbe, Kavieng, Lorengau, Maprik, Popondetta, Samarai (Milne Bay), Vanimo and Wewak,” it said.
“This arrangement has been done to foster business efficiency of PNG Power’s operations in these centres.
“Careful management of fuel usage in these centres is crucial at this point until we have a healthy cash flow to have normalcy in diesel powered centres.”