PNG Power Limited (PPL) has confirmed that water levels at its Yonki Dam catchment have reached a critical level due to an unusually dry season experienced in the area.
The reduced water levels have forced PNG Power to decrease generating capacity and carry out load shedding on the Ramu Grid, which supplies power to Lae, Madang and the Highlands Provinces.
The Ramu Hydropower Station is operating at 35% of its total generation capacity, due to the reduced water levels in the reservoir. PPL is accelerating projects to rehabilitate alternate power generating supplies, to reduce the need for load shedding. However, load shedding will continue until water levels improve substantially and generating capacity can return to normal operations.
Similar issues are occurring at Sirinumu Dam in Port Moresby, supplying the Rouna Hydropower Station and the river system feeding the Warangoi Hydropower Station in East New Britain.
Meanwhile, Independent Power Producers (IPP) are continuing to meet generating capacity shortfalls, especially in Lae with Posco Daewoo (Munum Power Station) and PNG Forest Products through their Baiune Power Station.
PNG Power is appealing to the general public to be mindful of water use and to conserve and ration water supplies when possible. The situation is unlikely to improve in the short term.
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