Solar rooftops eyed for NCD

SOLAR rooftops are being eyed as a source of power for Port Moresby based businesses with consultations underway for a pilot programme between PNG Power Limited and International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The move follows a request by PNG Power for IFC to build on its off-grid solar programme, Lighting PNG, to for the power company’s business customers.
The aim is to initially allow about two per cent of peak demand for electricity in Port Moresby to be generated from rooftop solar.
This is a significant change as has been illegal for businesses to install and generate power from rooftop solar says IFC’s PNG resident representative John Vivian.
“But now that the costs of rooftop solar systems have dropped by about 80 per cent in the last
five years, it makes commercial sense for business to look at this source of renewable energy and it is good for the environment,” he said.
PPL director of strategic planning and business development Bruce Corbet says the company wants to work proactively to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change.
“With Papua New Guinea the first country to lodge its national plan under the Paris Agreement, we take our responsibility seriously but need the expertise of IFC to help us,” he said.
“IFC have implemented similar projects in other countries with great success and we want to build on what they already know here in Port Moresby.”
Under its national plan, Papua New Guinea plans to transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050.
“The aim is to learn from the experience of a pilot in Port Moresby,” Corbet said.
“Based on the interest we’ve already had from other centres such as Popondetta, Madang and Wewak, PNG Power anticipates the pilot programme could be expanded outside Port Moresby.”