The capital of PNG’s Western Province, Daru, is set to become the region’s first 100 per cent renewably powered town.
The PNG Sustainable Development program (PNGSDP) is spearheading a solar grid initiative in partnership with local government and PNG Power LTD (PPL).
Speaking at the 17th PNG Resources and Energy Investment Conference in Sydney last week, PNGSPD chief executive officer Lesieli Taviri emphasised the need for a solution to the longstanding power issues affecting PNG.
“Essential services, such as the Daru hospital, are unable to function effectively due to daily outages and power fluctuations impacting health-critical equipment, such a x-ray machines,” she said.
“With the support of local government authorities and PNG Power Ltd, we are in the progress of a power purchase agreement which will result in PNGSDP investing in additional capital to double our solar generation capacity to generate up to an average of 12 megawatts an hour per day.
“The investment includes a new underground medium voltage cable to connect PNGSDP’s facility to PPL’s power facility.”
The connection between the two facilities will include two new transformers, connection stations, grid connectors, safety interlocks and a communication line.
Taviri said the project will also include a link to the Daru hospital to ensure a stable supply.
“The power purchase agreement is in its final stages and we anticipate procurement to happen immediately after, with installation projected to take about nine months.”
The move aims to not only improve power supply to Daru, but also lower the cost of power generation overall.
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