Port Moresby is moving toward a cleaner future following a successful diplomatic mission to Shenzhen, China, where National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop secured a fleet of electric buses and a new waste-to-energy solution for the city.
The first fleet of electric buses is expected to arrive later this year, signaling the start of a phased move away from diesel vehicles. For city residents, this transition means a direct improvement in daily life through better air quality, lower fuel costs, and a more reliable public transport service operated by the NCDC.
In a move to modernize the city’s utilities, the NCDC also reached an agreement in principle to convert the Baruni landfill into a waste-to-energy facility. This project aims to turn the city’s trash into a productive power resource, reducing the size of the landfill while supporting the capital’s long-term energy needs.
Governor Parkop emphasized that these partnerships are focused on delivering practical results for the community.
“This is not a study visit. We came here to secure real, working solutions for Port Moresby. Cleaner public transport and turning waste into energy are outcomes that will directly benefit our people,” Governor Parkop stated.
The governor also highlighted the importance of shifting away from fossil fuels, saying there is a need for Papua New Guinea to adopt sustainable energy strategies that are ecologically friendly, including solar, wind, gas, thermal, hydro, ocean generation of energy, and electric vehicles.
The new waste-to-energy system is expected to improve local waste collection and recycling, moving Port Moresby closer to its goal of being a clean, planned, and liveable city.
The visit also marked the 10th anniversary of the sister-city partnership between Port Moresby and Shenzhen, as well as 50 years of diplomatic relations between Papua New Guinea and China.
