Singsing Creek power substation work to begin soon

WORK at the PNG Power Singsing Creek substation will kick off with the ground-breaking ceremony today.
This is all part of the Ramu transmission system reinforcement project between the PNG Government and Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica) to improve the power supply to Lae
PPL acting managing director Carolyn Blacklock, in a statement, said the project would oversee a new 132kv substation at Singsing Creek named Singsing substation.
The substation would accommodate the transmission of 132kv to both Meiro substation in Madang and Taraka substation in Lae via Erap substation.
Blacklock said the project would include the growth and rehabilitation of Erap and Taraka substations to accommodate new additional transmission lines being constructed.
The new double circuit transmission lines would run parallel with the existing single circuit lines.
A total of 306 total transmission towers would be erected 50-70 metres apart from current transmission towers.
She said the double circuit would be able to accommodate the increased generation supply from upcoming renewable sources and supply reliable power to meet demand in Lae city and mining activities in Morobe.
“Electricity load demand for Lae is increasing rapidly due to the expansion of manufacturing, mining, and retail and real estate industries,” Blacklock said
She said for Madang, the single circuit transmission line L605 from Gusap to Meiro substation would be upgraded from 66kv to 132kv soon after RTSRP was completed.
The project is funded through a loan agreement with Jica in a partnership with GoPNG, costing K250.8 million and expected to be commissioned in 2021.
The construction of the Ramu transmission system reinforcement project (RTSRP) started on January 10 after the formal signing with contractor KEC International and PNG Power Ltd in Sept last year.