New transformer for Konedobu

A NEW transformer has been installed at the Konedobu power substation in Port Moresby, to supply 11,000 volts of electricity to the city.
PNG Power Limited acting chief executive officer Nehemaiah Naris said engineers worked over three consecutive days to complete the installation on Thursday.
Final checks were made on Monday night.
He said the 30-megavolts amperes transformer would supply up to 11,000 volts of power.
It came at a cost of about A$300,000 (about K1.5 million) and weighed around 80 tonnes.
Naris said it would supply power to business areas around Hohola, especially the Hilton Hotel and Brian Bell (opposite Waigani Central), Badili and the Port Moresby business district, including the Paga Hill Estate projects.
He said commissioning by the Government would take place this week.
“We thank the Australian government for this aid support,” Naris said.
“Power outage in this part of the nation’s capital has impacted a lot of businesses.
“We have two power transformation in the two substations in Port Moresby, one at Konedobu and the other at Waigani.
“We had a breakdown with the transformer in Konedobu two weeks ago. That is why we had to ration power from our other substation. Hence, the cause of recent blackouts,” he explained.
“It is something we cannot fix overnight.
“We have already received K70 million from the Government which has helped us in environment maintenance and rehabilitating some of our facilities in Port Moresby, Madang and Lae.”
Naris said after completing the Konedobu installation, they would move to Lae to install a solar power substation.
“It will be a backup for the main substation to control diesel and share load.”
Naris said the Government had been supportive with funding for the maintenance of existing infrastructures.
Port Moresby has six substations where it receives power and stores supply coming from sources such as Rauna. It then distributes a required amount of volts throughout the city.