19 Jan 2015

Extra power for PNG capital from natural gas

1:52 pm on 19 January 2015

Papua New Guinea's government has signed an agreement with ExxonMobil PNG, which is the operator of the PNG LNG Project, to generate additional power for Port Moresby.

Papua New Guinea Public Enterprises Minister Ben Micah, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, ExxonMobil PNG Managing Director Peter Graham, and ExxonMobil PNG Production Manager Andrew Barry.

Papua New Guinea Public Enterprises Minister Ben Micah, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, ExxonMobil PNG Managing Director Peter Graham, and ExxonMobil PNG Production Manager Andrew Barry. Photo: Supplied

Moresby is to receive up to 25 megawatts of electrical power generated from gas produced by PNG LNG to June, and a further 50 megawatts by the end of the year.

The Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says the capital's existing electricity demand is about 150 megawatts per day, against supply of 130 megawatts.

He says the additional electricity will help cover demand as it grows towards 200 megawatts per day.

"So the availability of 75 megawatts in Port Moresby city alone will ensure that we will run the South Pacific Games that is going to come without much difficulty ensuring that power is reliable to our visitors, but most importantly reliable to our residents and customers in Port Moresby."

Peter O'Neill says Exxon has also agreed to supply 4 megawatts of extra power to Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.