PNG Power has 34 provincial grids, and now has plans to expand this.
In a partnership with the Department of Petroleum and Energy, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), PNG Power released the National Distribution Grid Expansion Plan last Friday.
The expansion plan is important in providing electricity to the rural communities around the 34 provincial grids, and will further provide income generating opportunities to the people, and enhance livelihoods.
PNG Power Acting Chief Executive Officer, Chris Bais, said “The National Distribution Grid Expansion Plan is a crucial planning tool for PNG Power to boost ongoing efforts to connect the people in rural areas to the electricity grid.”
PNG Power is committed to extending and expanding its rural distribution network throughout the country to provide electricity, so this is a step in the right direction.
“ADB is pleased to partner with PNG Power Limited to enable more people to benefit from having access to an electricity supply,” said Anthony Maxwell, Asian Development Bank Senior Energy Specialist.
“Households, schools and clinics as well as businesses will benefit.”
Vore Veve, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Petroleum and Energy, said the overall target of the government is to connect 70 per cent of the population to the electricity grid, by 2030, hence expansion to areas near the existing grids is crucial. According to ADB, only about 12 per cent of Papua New Guinea’s population is currently connected to the electricity grid.
Around 40 stakeholders, including government and donor partners attended the seminar where the plan was revealed, and discussions were made on the technical basis behind the plan, and the available options for rolling out construction and options for financing.
Source: supplied.
