Papua New Guinea needs to develop new electricity generation projects to maximise the benefits of a K350 million upgrade to the Ramu Grid transmission network, according to Minister responsible for PNG Power Ltd. Richard Maru.
The 132-kilovolt Ramu Transmission System Reinforcement Project was commissioned at the Taraka Substation in Lae, Morobe Province, on Oct. 9, completing a major component of a K1.9 billion investment in the country’s transmission infrastructure.
Maru said the upgraded network would improve the system’s capacity to carry electricity, but its benefits would depend on whether sufficient power could be generated to meet demand.
The project was financed through a K236.7 million loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and K113.3 million in counterpart funding from the Papua New Guinea government.
Together with the Tari-Hagen-Yonki 132kV transmission line, the project completes the main transmission backbone of the Ramu Grid.
Maru said the government’s next priority was to develop additional generation capacity, particularly through hydropower, to supply the network and meet the country’s electricity needs.
He identified four potential hydropower projects for further consideration: the Tua River project in Eastern Highlands Province, with a proposed capacity of 60 to 100 megawatts; Yenem Busu Marambi in Morobe Province, with 57 to 184MW; Yanganon/Nankina in Madang Province, with 10 to 110MW; and the 80MW Naoro Brown project serving Port Moresby and Central Province.
The proposed capacities indicate the potential scale of the projects, with final output dependent on their development.
Maru said hydropower projects typically take five to 10 years to deliver, requiring the government to consider shorter-term generation options while larger projects are developed.
For Morobe Province, he proposed temporary solar power plants at Wawin, Yalu and Erap, with planned capacities of 25MW, 10MW and 30MW to 50MW, respectively.
The proposed solar facilities could add electricity supply while longer-term hydropower projects progress, although they would need to be developed and connected to the network before delivering power to consumers.
Maru said investment in hydropower generation had not kept pace with electricity needs over the past 36 years, contributing to greater reliance on independent power producers.
He said expanding generation capacity was important to PNG Power’s long-term position and the country’s ability to provide reliable and affordable electricity to households, businesses and industries.
The transmission upgrade also reflects cooperation between Papua New Guinea and Japan in developing the country’s energy infrastructure.
Maru acknowledged Japan’s support, which has included equipment for the Rouna 4 Hydropower Station, transmission and substation testing equipment, and specialised training for 20 engineers in substation operations, network planning, protection, and financial and economic analysis.
A grant-funded rural electrification programme has also helped connect 3,700 households across several districts in Papua New Guinea.
Maru thanked the Japanese government and people for their continued support, as well as the Marape-Rosso government for providing counterpart funding for the transmission project. He also acknowledged the PNG Power board, management, project team and landowners along the transmission route.
With the main transmission backbone of the Ramu Grid completed, the next challenge is to secure enough generation capacity to supply the network. The proposed hydropower and solar projects are among the options identified to address the country’s electricity needs.
