PNG Power facing challenges hindering business potential

AN unworkable business model and skills and capacity shortage remain PNG Power’s greatest challenge, says acting chief executive officer Douglas Mageo.
These challenges have become barriers for PNG Power to unlock the potential of business in Papua New Guinea.
Mageo was speaking on the national electrification programme during the PNG Mining and Petroleum Conference yesterday,
He said these challenges were mainly faced in the operating environments of PNG.
Despite challenges, PNG Power has found opportunities in domestic market obligation (DMO), PNG electrification partnership and mining loads, Mageo said.
“PNG Power fully supports the development and implementation of DMO policy as well as establishing necessary regulatory framework to guide and regulate usage for domestic purposes, including gas for electricity,” he said.
“Also, PNG Power have opportunities in availability of partners to work with PNG in electrification and having big volume loads that can support electricity of communities in terms of mining loads.” Mageo said through the national electrification programme, PNG Power wanted to develop electricity through safe, reliable and financially viable means.
He said matters such as need for coordination between stakeholders, establishing policies, independence and PNG Power’s view on fuel switching also needed to be solved.