PNG Power Limited (PPL)

The Moitaka Power Station was established in 1980 and has been a reliable source of electricity until it was decommissioned in 2019 after several Independent Power Producers (IPP) were introduced into the Port Moresby Grid.

According to PNG Power Ltd (PPL) the Moitaka Power Station initially had a station output of 16 Megawatts (MW) from two Hitachi Zosen Z40 Diesel Engines (Unit 1 & 2).

The company is equally concerned about providing good electricity service to its customers and needs the support of its stakeholders to comply with the rule of law.

According to the Electricity Industry Act 2000 and the Criminal Code Act, it is a crime to illegally connect or divert energy to use free power. Anyone found guilty of this offense can face a penalty of up to three years in prison.

NSL recently held its first major stakeholder engagement with PNG Power Limited (PPL).

As one of PNG's largest state-owned enterprises with over 1,800 staff across the country, most PPL staff do not have the time to visit an NSL branch to update their information or check on their super.

The initiative is part of PNG Power’s long-term program aimed at combatting revenue leakages, and maintaining existing revue connections whilst making new ones.

Since the extension of the initiative was launched on Monday May 30, many new customers have stepped forward to register.

PPL has continuously advised all unregistered electricity consumers connected to the PNG Power grid without a meter, to go forward and register as new customers at their nearest PNG Power offices or call the toll free number 116.

All Unregistered electricity consumers connected to the PNG Power grid without a meter are encouraged to go forward and register as new customers at their nearest PNG Power offices or call the toll free number 116.

The Amnesty Program is an initiative of PPL and partners, USAID-PEP. The program is part of PPL’s Revenue protection Strategy (short, medium and long-term) as part of its 3-year corporate plan aimed at combatting revenue leakages, maintaining existing revenue and growth revenue through new customers.

The project will increase the efficiency and reliability of power generation across PPL’s remote mini-grids, serving 1.5 million people while also reducing reliance on diesel fuel and in turn lower fuel costs as well as greenhouse gas emissions. 

Despite PNG being a resource-rich nation with abundant sources of energy, access to power is very limited. 

“Access to power is one of the main development challenges facing PNG. 

Minister for State Owned Enterprises, William Duma said nearly all transmission lines in the grid and equipment from the sub-stations are old and require replacements.

Minister Duma, PNG Power Board Chairman Moses Maladina and KCH Chairman, Dr. David Kavanamur met this week to find solutions to resolve the ongoing power issues.

“We have been able to source some funding with the help mainly from the Asian Development Bank and we are expecting the second tranche to come into the States account around Christmas time.

The K50 million project extends the Ramu grid into the Tsak Valley in the Wapenamanda District in Enga. The project is jointly funded by New Zealand and Australia under the five-nation PNG Electrification Partnership (PEP) and implemented by PNG Power Limited (PPL).

The project is expected to connect up to 5500 rural households, schools, health centres, government offices and businesses within 500 metres of the distribution lines along accessible roadways.

NiuPower’s CEO, Richard Robinson, said PPL had advised that the power station would save around K100 million annually. It will also reduce the adverse environmental impacts of power generation for Port Moresby.

Robinson said NiuPower is currently around 65 percent complete with the commissioning and testing program happening in parallel with finalisation of non-critical works like fencing, drainage and gravelling.

“We expect to be in a position to provide power to PNG Power Limited on a commercial basis around the end of March this year,” Robinson stated.

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology, Pila Niningi, says what Imbonggu District Development Authority is doing is in line with the National Government Medium Term Development Strategies (MTDS) and Vision 2050 by providing infrastructure and services to the rural communities.