The electricity supply industry in PNG has grown from a monopolistic sector to a competitive industry in the last five years.
This dramatic change is now coming under the scrutiny of the Independent Competition and Consumer Commission to ensure electricity licensees are compliant with existing regulations.
Acting CEO of the ICCC, Avi Hubert, said this today when launching the inaugural Safety and Technical Management Plan (STMP) workshop in Port Moresby.
As of 2015, seven electricity licences have been issued to seven entities with PNG Power being the dominant player.
“This outcome and the increase in the number of licences or electricity service providers, has resulted in the ICCC being vigilant and proactive in monitoring and regulating the industry. This is to ensure compliance to licensing and regulatory requirements and making sure consumers achieve a safe, reliable, and quality service,” said Hubert.
ICCC associate chairman, Edward Willet, said the goal of the workshop was to promote safety, the use of technical standards in the industry and reliable and quality electricity services delivery.
He said outcomes from the workshop include:
- All industry stakeholders should at least know what STMP is all about and its importance.
- Licence holders should learn from each other’s STMP and improve on their respective areas that need improvement.
- Development of a minimum standard requirements for STMP for electricity undertakers in PNG.
- All electricity licence holders should have STMP in place and submit to ICCC for review and approval.
“We plan that these workshop becomes an annual event by the ICCC in collaboration with the key stakeholders,” Willet said.
Stakeholders attending the workshop include ExxonMobil, PNG Forest Products, New Britain Palm Oil (NBPOL), Newcrest, Ok Tedi, Hanjung Power Limited and PNG Power.