The switching by PNG Power Limited (PPL) to the new gas-fuelled power station, being developed by NiuPower outside Port Moresby, is expected to save PPL millions of kina annually.
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.
“We will be supplying power into the PPL Port Moresby grid. This means, everywhere that is connected to the PPL Port Moresby grid, will be connected to the NiuPower Port Moresby Power Station.”
He said there were still some non-critical finishing touches to be made to complete the NiuPower station.
“Our schedule to commence commercial operations has always been before the end of March 2019 and that remains on track.”
*NiuPower is a corporation with two shareholders who each hold 50 percent: Kumul Energy Limited (a KPHL subsidiary) and Oil Search Power Holdings Limited (an Oil Search subsidiary)