Plans to use partnership to power up households

THE Government will use the national electrification rollout plan to implement the national electrification partnership programme, an official says.
Communication and Energy secretary John Avira told The National that the partnership was the funding component with PNG’s partners Australia, United States, Japan and New Zealand.
The plan is expected to be implemented under the new National Energy Authority in March next year.
“We are still talking to the countries. In Australia, Prime Minister James Marape has had a conversation with his colleague Scott Morrison over this.
“The programme starts only when the money gets in. And there is a process on how the funding comes in and we need to consult with the five countries that pledged.
“Until we get the money we can give the timeline as to when we can start the progress.”
Morrison said Australia would join the US, Japan and New Zealand to roll out new electricity infrastructure in PNG. It promises to provide power to 70 per cent of the population by 2030.
Australia will provide K57.8 million ($25m) to the project in its first year.
More than half of PNG’s power comes from hydro-power stations. The Government estimates that only 13 per cent of the population have reliable access to power.
The new initiative aims to lift living standards by providing power to essential services such as schools and hospitals. It will be helping local businesses grow.