A new PNG Power Limited (PPL) substation valued at US$11,640,410 (PGK37,000,000) will be built at Kilakila in the Central Province.
A ground breaking ceremony was held on Friday (Nov 10) to begin construction of a new 40 megawatt substation.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Public Enterprises and State Investment, William Duma, said the Kilakila substation project will include two components.
“Firstly the construction of a new 40 megawatt substation at the Kilakila site and secondly, a 6.1km 66 kilovolt double circuit overhead transmission line running from Kilakila to Six-Mile via Taurama, intersecting the grid at transmission tower 56, which is located along the Sir Reuben Taureka Highway,” said Duma.
He said the investment by PPL into the transmission and distribution system will provide additional system capacity, which will then allow a reduction in the loads on adjacent substations at Boroko and Konedobu.
“It will provide the power system reliability and quality to the southern side of Port Moresby for Konedobu up to Korobosea, and in particular the Central Business District area,” said Duma.
A Malaysian company, Pestech, has been contracted to build the substation, with the project being co-funded by development partner the Asian Development Bank.
The 640 square metre of land belongs to the Vaga Integrated Land Group. ILG Chairman Goasa Geita told Loop PNG that his clan was more than willing to put up their land for the project because it would benefit everyone in the long run.
“The monetary value is not that much, but there was an agreement made in March 2011that we will be providing security for as long as the power service goes on, we will also be providing cleaning services,” said the ILG chairman.