Energy sector

Representatives from PNG Power Limited and the Santos Foundation joined the event, which included a panel discussion on "Invest in Women; Accelerate Progress."

Nino Nadiradze, USAID Country Representative, emphasized the pivotal role of women in driving growth and sustainability, reaffirming the shared commitment between the US and PNG towards an inclusive energy sector.

Minister for Communication, Technology and Energy, Sam Basil, outlined these three challenges at the recent 2^nd Petroleum and Energy Summit in Port Moresby.

Minister Basil said the first major challenge is household energy access nationwide, which has been outstanding for over five decades.

The second is sufficiency of energy for industrialization, which is needed to modernise Papua New Guinea while the third is the importance of renewable energy to address the global crosscutting issue of climate change.

Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited Managing Director, Wapu Sonk, says there is ongoing discussions between these countries on ways to enter the energy market in PNG.

He said PNG is one of the few remaining countries in the world which has an energy resource base that is yet to be fully explored.

Speaking at the Oxford Business Roundtable early last week, Sonk said with the APEC year upon us, significant interest has been shown by these countries.