OREANDA-NEWS. January 25, 2016. The Government of New Zealand has provided additional financing of \\$4.8 million to expand the electricity grid in rural areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

“ADB is pleased to partner with PNG Power Limited on this additional funding for the Town Electrification Investment Program to enable more people to benefit from having access to an electricity supply,” said Marcelo Minc, ADB’s Country Director in Papua New Guinea. “Households, schools and clinics as well as businesses will benefit.”

Mr. Minc, together with Patrick Pruaitch, Papua New Guinea Treasurer and ADB Governor, and John Yanis from state power utility PNG Power Limited participated today in the signing ceremony in Port Moresby.

The project is funded through a New Zealand government grant, administered by ADB, to PNG Power.

“PNG Power is committed to delivering safe, reliable, clean power to the people and businesses of PNG,” said Mr. Yanis.

The project will connect an additional 2,500 households, businesses, schools and clinics to the grid by June 2017 in Oro Province, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and West New Britain. It will also rehabilitate the Lake Hargy Hydropower Plant in West New Britain to provide additional, cleaner, more reliable power.

The Government of New Zealand is providing \\$4.8 million grant towards the project and the Government of Papua New Guinea is contributing \\$400,000.

“New Zealand is pleased to continue its support to the development of the renewable energy sector in PNG,” said Tony Fautua, High Commissioner from the Government of New Zealand. “This project will bring clean electricity to those currently without access to power, and help improve people’s lives in rural areas and boost economic development.”

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.