Power projects stalled

Power projects for two districts in PNG have been put on hold due to the unavailability of land.

PNG Power Ltd (PPL) acting CEO, Alex Oa, says the projects for Kavieng in New Ireland Province and Alotau, Milne Bay Province, have been stalled while the land issue is addressed.

The Asian Development Bank-supported project aims to harness solar generated power for use in the districts.

Oa said while those are pending, they have received interest from the East New Britain Province for a similar project.

“At the moment, we have talked to the East New Britain Provincial Government and they have made land available. So we are looking at their expression of interest very soon over the next 10 days and that’s to get a shortlist of contractors to come in and develop that,” he stated.

“What we are looking at is a generation source that is firm, cheap and quick to deliver. We’re not really specifying solar or geothermal, but the expression of interest will be more general.”

Author: 
Cedric Patjole