A community in Simbu province now have access to lighting following the successful completion of a solar lighting project in Kakondo.
The project, managed by Kakondo Solar Energy for Life (KaSEL), was funded by the Puma Energy Foundation.
The project included the installation of a renewable solar power station at a newly built community resource centre (CRC), communal areas and 60 streetlights along the community highway, benefiting 50 households.
The community resource centre will be used as a hub for training, meetings, youth engagement, digital access, and community coordination.
The installation of the solar lights, both at the resource centre and along the streets, addresses the local community’s immediate challenge in providing adequate lighting in key public areas and service locations.
For many rural communities in Papua New Guinea, electricity is a basic necessity that is only readily accessible or available to 20 % of the population.
“This initiative now provides reliable and clean energy, not only powering the facility but also extending electricity supply within a 100-meter radius to over 50 households -demonstrating a replicable model for rural solar electrification,” said KaSEL Chairman Mauro Okrupa.
“Additionally, the funding enabled the installation of 60 solar streetlights strategically placed across 36 traditional houses, schools, aid posts, and public marketplaces throughout the Kakondo tribal communities.
“These developments have greatly enhanced safety, improved livelihoods, strengthened community resilience and provide job creation opportunities.”
Port Moresby Charity Committee representative, Olivia Lam, said:
“The Puma Energy Foundation partners with organisations that provide clean and reliable energy to rural households.
“Without energy, communities cannot tackle issues like high energy cost, public safety concerns, poverty and public health. This is why the Foundation invests in providing clean energy and eco-friendly infrastructure to address these challenges.”
The Puma Energy Foundation also works with partners that empower entrepreneurs and young people, to not only access clean energy, but also to strengthen local capacity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
This is a second Puma Foundation funding in PNG in the last two years. The first community funded project saw the successful construction of a 4-in-1 classroom on Pirtop Island in East New Britain Province. This classroom is now providing a clean and secure learning environment for more than 100 students.
