Load shedding to continue in POM

By GRACE AUKA UPNG journalism student
DUE to the further shortfall in generation capacity caused by Hanjung Power taking off one of their 12 megawatt (MW) machines for routine maintenance work last Friday, load shedding of power in Port Moresby will continue until Dec 17.
PNG Power announced in a statement that the Port Moresby system currently has a short fall of 28.9MW.
“Load shedding has been carried out since Nov 26, due to the breakdown of one 6MW diesel machine and a 9MW gas turbine at the Moitaka terminal power station, a 1.9MW machine at Rouna 1 and a 6MW machine at Rouna 2 hydropower stations,” PNG Power chief executive officer Tony Koiri said.
“The 6MW machine at Rouna 2 has been restored and PNG Power engineers are still working on the other three machines.
“The Port Moresby system has a combined generation capacity from Moitaka terminal, the four Rouna hydro power stations and Kanudi Power station of 96.1MW to meet a demand of 94MW,” he said.
Due to the further shortfall in generation capacity, load shedding has been increased from one hour two feeders to two hours three feeders.
Koiri said customers with standby generators should use them.
Customers have been urged to call the 24-hour service on telephone numbers 3256988 or 3234774.
PNG Power apologised to the public for causing inconveniences.