Business Advantage Papua New Guinea
TAPPING INTO THE SUN
It is essential to use low cost solar power to expand access to electricity.
Improved access to finance could lead to the rapid development of solar power, according to Jon Pittar, Managing Director of solar provider, Solar Solutions PNG. If the government is to achieve its energy goal of giving access to power to 70 per cent of the population by 2030, he believes solar-powered systems must be provided to rural communities.
Pittar says the cost of laying the wires for a fully-operational grid is in excess of K100,000 per kilometre. It then costs up to K2400 to take the power from source to the houses, and then people have to pay for a meter. Then they have to pay for power.
Historically in PNG, mini-grids have not been successful and are an expensive option because a fault in the system will affect all users. But if a problem occurs with individual housing units it only affects that one unit and is easily repaired, according to Pittar.
‘We have to recognise in PNG that a large portion of the community aren’t going to be able to pay for power, so if we want to assist them to get better outcomes for health, better outcomes for education, they need to be provided home lighting systems in order to assist in their economic development.
‘You give a community lighting and communication and that community is going to develop. So in five years’ time, 10 years’ time, there is going to be a demand for 240-volt power and mini-grids. But you’ve got to help give them a kickstart.