PNG Power Managing Director Flagon Bekker said the company's assets have a lot of potential for generating income and maximizing their use to help the country distribute energy more efficiently.
PNG Power has the capability and assets to provide that opportunity and needs to look at the best solutions to accomplish this sort of outcome, he said. Electricity markets have altered worldwide and in the region to produce better benefit for the economies of those nations, he said.
“Reform is inevitable for the power sector in PNG as it has been and continues to be across the globe. PNG is not unique,” Bekker said.
“Reform will consist of a measured, step by step approach by PPL and the other market participants.
It will mean lower power prices for the people of PNG through transparent, competitive investment and operating processes in generation, transmission and distribution and retail business units. Reform is about change.
Change for a better stronger and more sustainable sector.”
He highlighted that, after the recent passage of enabling legislation, the National Energy Authority (NEA) will take over regulatory tasks from PNG Power and the ICCC.
He stressed that PNG Power could not be both a regulator and a participant in the business at the same time, that it could not be both the referee and the player, as well as the third umpire.
“It must now behave in a more commercial manner to implement the programs necessary to achieve the government’s electrification agenda.
PNG Power would become a competitive participant in the market in the future, with a single buyer responsible for power demand throughout the country's electrical infrastructures.
“I want all PNG Power staff to understand the vision that we have for the organisation and its important role in achieving the goals of the government; this requires that we must act in a commercial manner, especially in dealing with donors and investment parties.
“We should not be afraid of change; we must all embrace it,” Mr Bekker said when responding to the media criticism by the Energy Workers Union about the changes and the reforms initiated at PNG Power.”
Reference:
Post-Courier (31 May 2021). “Bekker: PNG Power Is Able To Make Money.”
