Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) will soon be connected to a new dedicated power line as PNG Power Limited (PPL) moves to address ongoing electricity disruptions that have threatened patient safety and damaged critical medical equipment.
PPL Chief Executive Officer Paul Bayly said the new power line would be connected as soon as possible from the upgraded Kilakila Substation directly to PMGH, providing the hospital with a stable and exclusive electricity supply. Existing lines, including Boroko Feeder 1 and Feeder 5, will remain as alternate backup feeders.
The announcement follows concerns raised by PMGH over the continuous power outages that have disrupted hospital operations. According to PPL, PMGH is currently supplied through Boroko Feeder 1 as a designated priority line. However, on 12 January, the hospital experienced four outages caused by strong winds, vegetation interference, and line hardware failures. When the primary feeder was affected, the hospital load was transferred to Feeder 5, which also sustained storm-related faults.
On January 13, a further five outages occurred, compounded by damage linked to Tropical Cyclone Koji.
Mr Bayly said this rare sequence of simultaneous feeder failures explained the repeated interruptions despite the hospital’s priority status.
“To prevent a recurrence, PPL will now establish a dedicated power line from the Kilakila Substation directly to Port Moresby General Hospital,” Mr Bayly said. “This will significantly improve reliability, with existing feeders retained as backups.”
PPL has also mobilized field crews to isolate faults, clear vegetation, and replace damaged poles and line hardware. Additional measures include reinforcing Boroko Feeder 1 and other alternate supply lines, prioritizing materials and crew deployment, and reviewing switching protocols to minimize the risk of multiple feeders being affected by the same event in the future.
The power utility also committed to fully cooperate with PMGH in advancing solar energy integration to reduce reliance on the grid and mitigate future disruptions.
PNG Power acknowledged the concerns raised by PMGH and reaffirmed that the hospital “has always been, and remains, a designated priority customer.”
Following discussions between PMGH Chief Executive Officer Paki Molumi and Mr Bayly, PPL said ensuring a reliable power supply to the nation’s largest hospital is a critical responsibility.
“PNG Power remains fully committed to restoring and maintaining stable electricity supply to PMGH as a top priority,” the statement said, adding that regular updates will be provided to hospital management and the public as repair works and long-term resilience measures progress.