by Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV, Port Moresby
PNG Power (PPL) is carrying out emergency load shedding in Madang and surrounding areas as a result of the destruction of two transmission poles from the flooding along Usino-Bundi Highway.
Heavy flooding from the recent rainfall toppled two transmission poles at Omei (Sausi) Village at 11pm on Tuesday March 10, 2015.
This cut off power supply to Madang and currently PNG Power is generating 3.9 megawatts (MW) from the Madang thermal power station in Madang town.
There is a shortfall of 5MW; thus, PPL is carrying out emergency load shedding and supplying power to critical areas like Modilon General Hospital.
PPL linesmen have located and assessed the fault; however, repair work is delayed, as they cannot access the poles that are underwater. The load shedding is expected to go on for two weeks and customers with standby generators have been asked to use them during this time.
This problem has also affected the fiber optic link and may have a prolonged effect on internet services in Madang and other centres.
