New Zealand national Paul Bayly appointed new PNG Power CEO

The National Executive Council has announced the appointment of Paul Bayly as the new chief executive officer for PNG Power.

The New Zealand national will fill in the State Owned Entity’s top position, which has been without a permanent appointment since 2023.

Mr. Bayly’s appointment comes after a competitive selection process based on his outstanding qualification and expertise.

PNG Power board shared in a statement that Bayly has an extensive experience in infrastructure, management, policy, planning and financing, that is fitting for the job.

His exposure also as a former colonel in the New Zealand Army to multi-cultural environments like Timor Leste, Lebanon and Syria, is said to be crucial for PNG Power, whose environment is culturally engrained and requires strong leadership to steer the company forward whilst dealing with workforce challenges.

The PPL Board outlined that the appointment fills a critical gap, bringing much needed stability to the CEO ‘s office which has undergone several acting appointments since 2023.

It is also pivotal for the SOE, given its persistent financial and power reliability challenges hindering growth and operational efficiency.

Given his past experiences of turning around struggling power companies towards recovery and financial stability, the board is confident the new CEO will be ready to take on PPL’s challenges.

Meantime, Bayly is expected to assume his role once the required work and visa processes are completed.