PNG Power Limited (PPL) Chief Executive Officer Paul Bayly has welcomed the continued partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), following a highlevel visit by Mr. Yoneda Gen, Director General of the Southeast Asia and Pacific Department at JICA Headquarters.
Mr. Gen was in Papua New Guinea from 18–23 May, during which he joined PPL and JICA PNG teams to inspect the newly completed 132kV Singsing–Taraka Transmission Line in Lae, Morobe Province. The line, which is scheduled for official commissioning later this year, has already delivered significant improvements to transmission reliability and power quality for Lae customers.
CEO Bayly said the new line represents a major step forward for the Ramu Grid.
“The 132kV line not only stabilises supply for Lae but also provides essential redundancy for maintenance and load switching. This is the kind of resilient infrastructure PNG needs as demand continues to grow,” Mr. Bayly said.
As part of the visit, PPL and JICA also explored future collaboration in power generation, focusing on opportunities to strengthen both the Ramu Grid and the Port Moresby Grid.
On Saturday 23 May, CEO Bayly and Director General Gen visited the Rouna 3 Hydropower Plant, where discussions centred on the full refurbishment of Rouna 3 to complement the Asian Development Bank’s ongoing work on Rouna 1.
“Refurbishing Rouna 1 and Rouna 3 is critical to ensuring longterm generation availability and improving reliability for Port Moresby customers,” Mr. Bayly said.
“We value JICA’s partnership and their commitment to supporting PNG’s energy future.”
PPL will continue working closely with JICA to progress feasibility assessments and identify priority investments that can deliver immediate and longterm benefits.
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