A new biomass power plant project will be built in New Ireland with the aim to provide a more stabled electricity supply to people in Namatanai town and surrounding communities.
Namatanai MP, Water Schnaubelt said for decades people in his electorate have not been accessing normal power supply.
“Namatanai town has been missing out on regular power supply for nearly 30 years and
leaders before me have turned a blind eye on this very essential service for our people,” said Schnaubelt.
He said the district government plans to provide sufficient power supply for the town and surrounding villages at an affordable rate.
“The priority right now is to give the businesses in Namatanai town enough power to
continue serving the public at large,” Schnaubelt said.
Apart from the biomass power plant, a hectare of the land at Mageh plantation will be dedicated to solar power generation.
Solar power will generate roughly about one megawatt power, biomass will give nearly 750
kilowatt power and that will be gradually increased to one megawatt power.
“The boost for power to two megawatt is important so that we can bring in industrialization
and commercialization in Namatanai town,” Schnaubelt said.
The construction of the biomass power plant several kilometres outside of Namatanai town kicked off today with a ground-breaking ceremony today.
“When we sustain the businesses we will then go into rural electrification for nearby villages so we can open up rural economic corridors to enhance rural development like never before,” Schnaubelt said.
The district is looking at setting up rural electrification programs
after the commissioning of the biomass power plant.
“The priority right now is to give the businesses in Namatanai town enough power to
continue serving the public at large. When we sustain the businesses we will then go into
rural electrification for nearby villages so we can open up rural economic corridors to
enhance rural development like never before,” Schnaubelt said.