ENB gets energy licenses

National Energy Authority managing director Ronald Meketa (left) presents the licenses to East New Britain governor Michael Marum, Gazelle MP Jelta Wong and Toma LLG president Elisah Wesley in Kokopo *(Image: Supplied)*

The recently established local company for East New Britain province, ENB Energy Limited, has received four key licenses from the National Energy Authority [NEA].

The four licenses are for generation, transmission, distribution and retail, equipping and empowering ENB Energy to take charge of electricity programs, outside of the PNG Power-managed Gazelle grid.

Witnessed by members of the ENB Provincial Government and it’s administration, and officials from both ENB Energy Ltd and the NEA, the licenses were delivered by the NEA Managing Director Ronald Meketa, to the ENB Energy management.

Meketa said ENB is the sixth province in the country to be given full concession. He said it was important to work in partnership to ensure power services reach the masses.

“It’s good to see Kumul Petroleum set up a 1.5 megawatts solar power facility in Pomio district,” he said.

“These are some of the assets that are not licensed, hence when we give it’s license, we want all these assets in the district and province to come under one vehicle. So, we have sent a letter to Kumul Petroleum to transfer that asset to ENB Energy."

ENB Governor Michael Marum acknowledged partners such as the NEA and ENB Energy management, through chief executive officer Alphonse Maur and interim board chairman Marakan Uvano.

“Alphonse and your team, you now have a lot of work. These licenses are a foundation of a new chapter for development in the province," he said.

“Reliable and affordable electricity is one of the most important drivers of economic growth. And without dependable power, businesses struggle to expand."

Marum said the province recognizes energy security as a fundamental to achieving long term development aspirations.

Meanwhile, ENB Energy CEO Maur said the company was established in 2019 following Provincial Executive Council [PEC] approval to initially partner and support the PPL grid.

“But in the last PEC meeting a new board of management was confirmed, comprised of technical and financial personnel, with extensive experience in the energy industry. We also have an interim board chairman in Uvano,” he said.

Pre and feasibility studies were conducted around the province, resulting in a road map and application for the 4 licenses from the NEA.

Maur further assured that with continuous support from the provincial government and the administration, the company will work with PPL to deliver services to more communities in the province.