Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a grant to PNG Power Ltd. that will expand the use of smart grid technologies across Papua New Guinea. USTDA’s grant will fund an implementation plan for an integrated information and communication technology (ICT) platform to strengthen the resilience of the country’s power grid and improve electricity access for the nation’s nine million citizens.

“This grant represents USTDA’s first engagement in Papua New Guinea in 20 years, and at a critical time when the country is seeking to partner with the United States and our Indo-Pacific allies to stimulate economic growth through power sector development,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA’s Acting Director. “USTDA’s grant will leverage our three decades of experience in the sector and create export opportunities for U.S. suppliers of ICT and smart grid technologies.”

The USTDA-funded assistance will develop specifications for deploying a smart metering system and communications network components, which will lead to improved service and reduced electricity losses. USTDA’s grant also supports the Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States, to achieve enhanced connectivity and connect 70 percent of the country’s population to electricity by 2030.

“The United States is committed to Papua New Guinea’s success and to the PNG Electrification Partnership,” said U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu Erin McKee. “This project represents an important step toward building PPL’s capacity to achieve the partnership’s goal of providing electricity to 70 percent of Papua New Guineans by 2030.”

“PNG Power welcomes this partnership with the United States through USTDA,” said Douglas Mageo, Acting chief executive officer of PNG Power Ltd. “This will bring world leaders to assist us in the reform and modernization of our electricity systems. In particular the implementation of smart meters and smart networks will improve the reliability of power supply and improve services to our customers.”

This project supports the goals of the United States’ Asia EDGE program, which aims to strengthen energy security and expand energy access throughout the Indo-Pacific. This also aligns with the goals of USTDA’s Memorandum of Cooperation with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to promote infrastructure development in Pacific Island Countries.

U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded feasibility study should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies.  USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.

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