A number of major rural electrification projects were undertaken in 2006. These included extensions in the following areas:
Port Moresby system- Sirinumu Dam Area
As part of PNG Power's assistance to the land owners around the Sirinumu Dam area, Power supply extension was undertaken to connect several communities, including primary school in the Sirinumu areas. The project cost was in the vicinity of about K1m.
Ramu System - Yonki Dam Area
A similar extension was undertaken in the Yonki Dam area which included making electricity available to the villages along the Yonki Dam area and towards Kainantu. To date around K0.5m has been expended
This work is ongoing and future continuation depends very much on availability of funding.
Also power supply extensions were undertaken in the Gembogl and Gumine districts of Simbu Province and Lufa District in the Eastern Highlands Province. These projects were funded by capital contributions from the respective Provincial governments and local Members of Parliament. A total of around K1.50 million was spent in these three districts in 2006.
Gazelle System
Power supply extensions were undertaken to make supply available to the Resettlement Estates of Sikut, Gelegela, Asing and Vunakambi. These projects were funded by the Asia Development Bank through the Gazelle Restoration Authority to supply the resettled communities that were displaced by the twin Volcano eruptions of 1994. The total project costs were around K4m.
At the end of 2006, the Government through the Independent Public Business Corporation provided K65m to PNG Power to be utilised for the provision of electricity to least developed rural areas of PNG. The funds will be utilised by PNG Power to implement a comprehensive rural electrification program commencing in the Southern Highlands and Enga provinces.