Lae, March 14, 2025 –
A delegation from the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), led by Secretary Koney Samuel, visited the project site of the Ramu Transmission System Reinforcement Project (RTSRP) to assess its progress.
The project is being funded through a loan agreement between the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Papua New Guinea.
The RTSRP aims to enhance the stability and reliability of electricity supply in Morobe Province, particularly benefiting Lae City and surrounding areas.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of PNG Power Limited, Ivan Pekaea, along with his technical team, was present to provide a status update on the project.
“The technical infrastructure at Ramu is over 60 years old. The significance of this project is important because once it’s complete, you will see an improvement in Lae. When one transmission line goes off, you will have this redundancy,” explained Ivan Pekaea, Acting CEO of PNG Power.
He further highlighted that the project, carrying 132kV, will significantly improve electricity reliability with two transmission lines from Yonki to Lae City. The RTSRP consists of a double circuit from the Singsing Substation to the Erap Substation and a single circuit to the Taraka Substation. The project is expected to be completed by August this year.
During the visit, DNPM Secretary Koney Samuel emphasized the importance of aligning infrastructure development with the country’s broader goals outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP IV) 2023-2027. He reminded stakeholders of their responsibilities in contributing to the nation’s progress through sectoral development initiatives.
The RTSRP is anticipated to be a game-changer in addressing electricity supply challenges in Lae, reinforcing the power transmission network, and supporting economic growth in the region.