OK TEDI AND NEA SIGN MOA TO ACCELERATE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION UNDER ‘LIGHTING UP THE WEST’ PROGRAM
Ok Tedi Mining Limited (Ok Tedi) and the National Energy Authority (NEA) have a signed a Memorandum of Agreement to advance the Lighting Up the West (LTW) initiative, a transformative program aimed at expanding access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy across Western, West Sepik and East Sepik Provinces.
The agreement by Ok Tedi Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kedi Ilimbit, and NEA Managing Director Ronald Meketa, establishes a framework for regulatory cooperation, licensing, and stakeholder engagement to deliver rural electrification through decentralised renewable energy (DRE) solutions in the short- to medium-term and hydropower in the long-term.
“The Lighting Up the West initiative is a cornerstone of our Growth 2050 Energy Transition strategy, and this MoA with NEA marks a major step toward delivering clean, reliable electric power to communities across the Western Province and beyond.” Ilimbit said.
The initiative aligns with Papua New Guinea’s national goal to achieve 70% electricity access by 2030 and 100% by 2050, prioritizing renewable energy sources such as solar and hydro.
Ok Tedi, through its subsidiary Ok Tedi Power, will champion the deployment of DRE solutions to anchor communities, with feasibility studies underway in Western, West Sepik, and East Sepik Provinces.
The program is designed to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits, including improved quality of life, local enterprise development, reduced emissions, and enhanced energy independence.
