Port Moresby
The Minister for State Enterprises and Investments, Hon William Duma, today launched the Port Moresby Power Project during a ground breaking ceremony near the PNG LNG liquefaction plant site.
The US$120 million project, which will use natural gas from the LNG plant, is being developed by NiuPower, a 50/50 partnership between Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) and Oil Search Limited.
Development of the gas-fired power station has been progressing steadily since the beginning of September. The power station site, adjacent to the liquefaction plant site, has been fenced and preliminary earthworks have commenced.
All required site geotechnical investigations are complete and the detailed design is now more than 30 per cent through. The major equipment items, including the six 130-tonne gas engine driven generators, have been ordered with preparations for manufacture well advanced. Major site construction activities are due to commence early in 2018 following the finalisation of the necessary regulatory approvals. The gas supply pipeline, being constructed separately by the PNG LNG project team, will also commence construction in 2018.
The gas supplied by the PNG LNG project will feed the high-efficiency reciprocating gas engines and generators. It will produce 58MW base load power to the Port Moresby power grid through a new 66kv power line and substation network to be constructed in Gerehu and connected to the new Power Plant.
The power station remains on track to commence operations in the first quarter of 2019 subject to the timely completion of all required regulatory approval.
KPHL Managing Director Wapu Sonk said the power project was supporting the Government’s development agenda of increasing access to electricity as well as delivering more cheaper and efficient Power supply to the Capital City. “This gas-power venture is the first for Kumul Petroleum and paves the way for other similar initiatives to further increase access to electricity in PNG. Electricity from gas will offer cheaper tariffs than diesel power plants. Consumers in the National Capital District and neighbouring Central province will benefit from this project. Other economic benefits are employment opportunities and tax revenue for the Government.”