PNG’s progress can be stagnant without proper energy solution: Minister Maru

Energy drives any economy, and access to clean and affordable energy can transform industries in the country.

International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru addressing the recent 2024 PNG Petroleum and Energy Conference said PNG cannot move forward without solving the ongoing energy issue.

He said with only 19% electricity coverage, combined with constant electricity outages affects individuals and businesses alike.

“PNG has the highest cost-of-electricity yet it’s totally unreliable. We are looking for lower-cost solution.

“Low cost of energy helps countries lead in investment and business. We have nine big resource projects operating in the country but yet we have law and order problems, weakening Kina and we must not pretend.

“The mining and resource sector hasn’t delivered the results we all were expecting, we now got to look into the non-resource sector specifically tourism, agriculture, downstream processing, manufacturing and that is where the future of this country.

“To bring in investors we need energy solution because investments will ride on the back of cheap and reliable energy,” Mr. Maru said.

He appealed to private energy producers to help break the monopoly and provide clean, reliable, and affordable power.

“We need partners and solutions and we want to talk to some companies… to give us some solution. We will put you in special economic zones if you partner to give us power.”