A new Energy Authority will be established in the next six months to meet power needs of the people, businesses and stakeholders according to the Minister for Energy and Rural Infrastructure Saki Soloma.
Minister Soloma made the announcement at a press conference this week highlighting Parliament’s recent passage of two bills; the National Energy Authority Bill, 2020 and; the Electricity Industry Act Amendment Bill 2020 last Wednesday the 21st of April, 2021.
Minister Soloma said the two legislations after gazettal will allow for the establishment of a new National Energy Authority. The Authority will ensure that appropriate modern technologies and practices are deployed to meet the power needs of the people and all stakeholders.
“Electricity is a major driver of the economic development in our country. Electricity Access is a vital service to Urban and Rural Populations in terms of social and economic development of our people.
“Increased electricity services will boost micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in PNG,” he said.
Mr Soloma said the Energy Authority will be the major driver for policy development, regulation and implementation objectives and plans of the government.
The National Energy Authority will work with PNG Power Limited (PPL) and private sector companies, donor financiers to provide electricity access to households in urban and rural communities, support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and lift standards of living for all our people in the country within this decade and beyond.
The National Energy Authority will ensure the development of all indigenous energy sources including hydro, gas, solar, geothermal, coal, wind, biomass, biofuels and others. PNG is rich in natural energy resources which can be utilized to produce electricity for domestic and commercial use, Minister Soloma said.
