Blackouts to be a thing of the past says PNG Power CEO

Business houses and residents in Lae have been assured come next year constant power blackouts experienced in the city will be a thing of the past.

And electricity supplier PNG Power is working on a permanent solutions to avoid power outage in the future.

Chief Executive Officer Chris Bais when contacted said PNG Power was doing everything to ensure this problem is eased.

“We are working on permanent solutions and by end of January all will be good,” Bais said.

Many city residents and businesses are concerned the long hours of power outrage and constant black outs have affected their daily activities.

Bais said the power blackouts is simply because of key factors being worked on by PNG Power.

He said the problems associated is because only one radial transmission line from Ramu to Taraka (Lae) and this gets affected every now and then either by land slips, floods and PPL’s long term solution is for a second transmission Line from Ramu via Erap to  Lae now being constructed under JICA Funding which is hopeful for completion by end of 2018.

The CEO said in the generation front a new 25 MW Gas turbine down near Lae port still out for repairs and this should be up and running by the end of this month as parts are being ordered from the United States while a new 30 mw power plant at Munum to be commissioned by end of next January 2017.

“Both units when in operation will cover Lae in the event of Ramu - Lae transmission line outages. Additional stand by gensets at Taraka and Milford Power stations will also assist meet Lae city and the surrounding areas, that is Bulolo/Wau, Nadzab/Erap all the way up to Mutzing, Singsing Creek and Gusap load demand beyond 2020,” Bais said.

Author: 
Wendy Katusele