The prime minister is calling for more investment in the electricity sector, citing the need for more generation to support development and the economic growth in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Prime Minister James Marape made a call for massive private sector investment in electricity generation across PNG following the completion of the K263 million Ramu Transmission System Reinforcement Project in Lae, declaring that reliable and affordable power is essential to achieving the Government’s ambition of building a K200 billion economy by 2030 and beyond.

Speaking at the official completion ceremony of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-supported project at Taraka Substation just recently, Prime Minister Marape said the Government was deliberately investing billions of kina in roads, electricity transmission and telecommunications infrastructure to unlock the country’s economic potential. 

The project, supported by a Japanese concessional loan commitment of ¥8.34 billion (approximately K237.2 million at indicative current exchange rates) through JICA and K54.7 million in counterpart funding from the Government of Papua New Guinea, represents a major investment in strengthening the Ramu electricity grid and improving power reliability.

It includes approximately 134 kilometres of additional 132kV transmission line, 326 transmission towers, telecommunications systems and upgrades to the Ramu Switchyard and Sing-sing, Erap and Taraka substations.

According to JICA, the reinforced transmission network is expected to substantially reduce transmission-related electricity outages in Lae and surrounding areas while increasing the capacity of the Ramu Grid to meet future demand.

The Marape-Rosso Government has spent more than K1.9 billion to date on the 132kV transmission network running from Tari through Mt Hagen and Yonki to Lae since taking office in 2019. This represents a major investment in an economic region that accounts for approximately 60 per cent of Papua New Guinea’s economic activity and population.

The project is also expected to contribute towards Papua New Guinea’s national target of achieving 70 per cent electricity access by 2030, supporting improved living standards and economic opportunities for approximately 3.4 million people. 

Prime Minister Marape thanked the Government and people of Japan, particularly Japanese Ambassador His Excellency Mochizuki Hisanobu, and JICA for their longstanding partnership with PNG.