PNG Power expands Port Moresby blackouts to four-hour blocks as El Niño and technical fault hit supply

PNG Power has increased load shedding across the National Capital District and Central Province to four-hour rotational blocks following a fresh 28-megawatt supply loss caused by a technical fault.

The power utility confirmed on Tuesday morning that Transmission Line L545, which connects the independent power producer Dirio Power Station to the Konedobu Substation, suffered a failure.

The latest fault compounds an existing generation shortfall caused by falling water levels at the Sirinumu Dam due to the severe El Niño drought affecting the southern region.

PNG Power said technical teams are on site attempting to locate and repair the line fault.

The company confirmed that output from the Rouna and Edevu hydro power stations cannot be increased due to strict water conservation measures currently enforced at Sirinumu.

The four-hour rotational blackouts represent an escalation from the previous two-hour load-shedding schedule.

PNG Power advised that the two-hour schedule will resume once Line L545 is restored and additional generation capacity returns to the grid.

The utility has appealed to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers across Port Moresby and Central Province to conserve electricity and water.

Consumers have been urged to turn off non-essential appliances and avoid high power usage during peak demand hours, set between 9am and 4pm, and from 6pm to 8pm.

PNG Power stated that its priority remains preserving remaining water reserves at Sirinumu Dam to sustain both electricity generation and the capital's municipal water supply through the extended dry spell.