PNG Ports board embraces power project

THE PNG Ports Corporation board has thrown its support behind the development of the Enviro Energy Park power generation project in Lae.
In a statement in October last year, developer Mayur said the project would help bring the Ramu grid up to international standards and help the government achieve its mandated electrification rate from 13 per cent to 70 per cent of the population by 2030.
“More so for Lae city’s prolonged power woes, the project will address the identified current off-grid demand of 50MW in the Lae city vicinity,” the statement said.
PNG Ports has now welcomed the proposal for the 52.5MW project to be located on the PNG Ports land and Western Tidal Basin (WTB).
“I re-confirm and reiterate that PNG Ports and the board are in full support of the development and the benefits the EEP will bring to PNG Ports, said Ports chairman Sir Nathaniel Poya in a letter to Mayur.
“PNG Ports is excited about having two (30MW gross) generating units at the PNG Ports site on the WTB which will provide redundancy and an extremely reliable power source, being so close for our own needs.
“We also welcome the future 25-year annuity income we will receive by way of rental payments on the basis that Mayur’s PPA (power purchase agreement) submitted to PNG Power Limited is executed,”he said.
Sir Nathaniel said PNG Ports and Mayur have invested a huge amount of time, resources and effort in the project which will create rental benefits for PNG Ports and provide “a far superior all-encompassing energy market offering to current and future clients”.
“We are in strong support of the EEP proposal that provides an onsite cleaner, more reliable and far cheaper power solution than what is available today to us and the Lae community,” he said.
“The EEP facility approved by Conservation Environment Protection Authority will be even cleaner and use more advanced technology.”