Wärtsilä to secure base-load power supply to community and businesses in Papua New Guinea
Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release, 24 September 2018 at 10 am EEST
Wärtsilä will be responsible for the full operation and maintenance of NiuPower’s power plant running on clean-burning natural gas near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for up to the next five years. The Port Moresby Power Station provides highly efficient and flexible base-load power supply to stabilise the Port Moresby System. The power plant will start operating in January 2019.
The Operation and Maintenance Agreement between Wärtsilä and *NiuPower Limited, signed in July 2018, is an extension of the ongoing relationship between the two companies. Under the agreement, Wärtsilä takes full responsibility for the operations of the 58MW power plant, which is the first ever utility-scale gas-engine powered plant in Papua New Guinea. The operation and maintenance of the plant is remotely supported by Wärtsilä Expertise Centres. The power plant will operate on six Wärtsilä 34SG engines, providing a reliable source of base load power for the local grid.
“The main target of our agreement with Wärtsilä is to ensure we have access to the experience and expertise essential to ensure reliable operations of our facility. Once online, the NiuPower Port Moresby Power Station will greatly improve the reliability of the Port Moresby power grid and, we have been advised by our customer PNG Power, will reduce the cost of power supply into the grid by up to PGK100 million (EUR27 million) per annum. This project uses PNG produced clean-burning natural gas and will materially reduce both the cost of and emissions from power generation in the country. NiuPower are immensely proud of leading this development,” says Richard Robinson, CEO, NiuPower PNG Ltd.
“The transition towards cleaner energy production is essential for preserving the environment for future generations. The agreement with NiuPower fully supports Wärtsilä’s mission to enable sustainable societies with smart technology. As part of our social responsibility program in Papua New Guinea, we will over time enhance the competencies of NiuPower’s local personnel in operating and maintaining the power plant,” says Rey Santos, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Australia Pty Ltd.
Wärtsilä Services’ lifecycle solutions for Energy industry
*NiuPower Limited is a Papua New Guinean company focused on the development and operation of power generation assets in Papua New Guinea fuelled by PNG produced natural gas. NiuPower is jointly owned by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (PNG’s national oil company) and Oil Search Limited.
Image caption: NiuPower’s 58MW power plant is the first ever utility-scale gas-engine powered plant in Papua New Guinea.
For further information, please contact:
Petteri Saares
Director
Services Unit South East Asia and Australia
Wärtsilä Services
petteri.saares@wartsila.com
Tel. +65 81267382
Hanna Viita
Director, Marketing
Wärtsilä Services
hanna.viita@wartsila.com
Tel: +358 40 167 1755
Wärtsilä Services in brief
Wärtsilä Services provides high-quality lifecycle services that enhance customers’ business. Its broad range of services supports both shipping and power generation companies, whenever and wherever needed. Solutions range from spare parts and basic support to ensuring the maximised lifetime, increased efficiency and guaranteed performance of the customer’s equipment or installation – in a safe, reliable, and environmentally sustainable way.
www.wartsila.com/services
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2017, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.9 billion with approximately 18,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
