State in power deal talks

 IN an effort to increase electricity supply, the Government is having talks with companies operating in the mining and petroleum sectors to help in power generation. 

Talaks have begun with Oil Search Ltd and Barrick to expand the capacity of power generation in Hides, Southern Highlands, which is supplying Porgera, in Enga. 

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told Parliament last Friday that Barrick had an exclusive arrangement with OSL to supply power to Porgera. That  could be expanded to Southern Highlands, Hela, Enga and Western Highlands. 

“We are talking to Oil Search. We agreed to explore the possibility of setting up power generation in Kutubu,”O’Neill said.