A Memorandum of Understanding signed on Friday 6th December by the three entities with regard to a biomass project aims to progress the development of renewable energy in the region. ‘PNG Biomass’, an integrated renewable energy project in the Markham Valley in Morobe Province, is subject to a final investment decision but could be a milestone in the country’s history of providing clean and sustainable energy. The project will consist of a 30 MW biomass power plant with secure fuel supply from 16,000 hectares of sustainable, certified and dedicated tree plantations. Oil Search is also in discussions to oversee the construction, operation and dispatch of an adjacent 11MW installed capacity solar PV farm.
“PNG Biomass is the first proposed utility scale renewable biomass and solar power generation project in PNG” said Ninning Jal, Health, Safety, & Environment Supervisor for PNG Biomass, stressing the sustainable character of the project. “We believe PNG Biomass will substantially enhance PNG’s reputation in demonstrating climate action and help transition the country to a fully renewable energy sector.”
Michael Henson, Project Director of PNG Biomass, added that the project is unique because it relies on the active participation of landowners and communities and that at the core of the Project is the objective to power PNG with affordable, domestic low-emission renewable energy through an inclusive economic growth model that empowers local communities.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the three parties at the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) in Madrid, Spain.
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