FEBRUARY 28 2022
PNG Power Ltd (PPL) Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Obed Batia has clarified misleading claims in the social media about the 132 kV Tari-Hides Power Project and awarding of the contract to Chinese company TBEA.
Mr. Batia said the contract – for a vital project – was awarded by the previous PPL Board and Management and not the current.
“I urge those anonymous persons who masquerade as experts in the energy sector to refrain from making misleading statements that only act to confuse the issues and the public,” he said.
“The decision to construct the Tari-Hides transmission line and to award the contract to TBEA was made by the previous PPL Board and Management, led by Mr. Peter Nupiri and Managing-Director Ms. Caroline Blacklock.
“The transmission line from Tari to Hides is a vital link to generation sources for the Ramu Grid – which services the Highlands and Momase provinces.
“The project involves construction of 40km of transmission lines and a sub-station.
“The project is currently under construction.”
Mr. Batia stressed that this project was vital for the Ramu Grid.
“The transmission backbone that will come out from this project will provide quality power, stability, and reliability from the transmission front and also provide the link for evacuation of gas power from Hides to supply Hela, Enga, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Lae and Madang,” he said.
“It will also provide the generation redundancy to supply all of Ramu Grid when generation from Paunada or Yonki hydro are not available.”