By Elizah Palme – EMTV Online
An interim International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) study of Papua New Guinea’s renewable energy, shows there is considerable potential, for greater investment in renewable energy but it has not yet been developed.
With 300 days of sunshine in many parts of the country, the research points to the potential to harness the sunshine to deliver power to people and businesses through solar. As well as solar, one of the largest potential resources for PNG is hydro, yet only a little over one-per cent of hydro potential is being utilized.
The study says as diesel-based generation is still used in all PNG Power’s main grids and mini-grids, there is also significant scope to use solar photo-voltaic or PV, to bring down the cost of generation.
In a further bid to promote solar energy in PNG, IFC is planning to take a village roadshow, featuring quality solar products and live theatre to the provinces, with some of the lowest electricity access in the country.
Using the campaign slogan ‘Gutpla Solar, Gutpla Life’ the roadshow will tour the Highlands and Momase regions, with appearances at the Mt Hagen, Goroka and Morobe cultural shows.
IFC’s work in PNG is supported by the Australian and New Zealand Governments, under the Papua New Guinea Partnership.
