Lupari: Dirio hopes to start supplying power soon

Business

By CLARISSA MOI
THE Dirio Gas and Power Company Ltd hopes to start supplying power to Port Moresby in the next few months, says company chairman Isaac Lupari.
Lupari who is Chief Secretary, said all necessary processes such as insulations were almost completed.
“We had a board meeting yesterday (Monday) where the Mineral Resource Development Company (MRDC) team took us through it,” he said.
“We are hoping that all these processes will be completed in the next few months and Dirio will be able to supply the 30 megawatts to the city.
“This will replace the expensive diesel fuel power in the country.”
Lupari said about 180 megawatts of power were produced for Port Moresby and Dirio will (come in to) relieve PNG Power.
“PNG Power spends millions on the lease of the generation and purchase of fuel to produce the 180 megawatts for the city,” he said.
“Dirio and NiuPower should generate close to 80 megawatts of cheap, affordable power generation.
“From a business perspective, that will result in savings for PNG Power.
“Hence, we believe that PNG Power should be now transferring that benefit to the business houses and consumers in the city who are currently paying very expensive rates of tariff.
“What that means for Port Moresby is that competition is good for the country as it drives down price, affordable power meaning that more money, business activities will commence and generate new business activities in the country.”
Lupari said what Dirio offered to PNG Power Ltd was in consistent with the ICCC ceiling of 38t per kilowatt.