Twenty20 Energy Systems has announced plans to design, build and maintain a 66 MW gas-fired power plant in Papua New Guinea’s Hela province on behalf of Dirio Gas & Power Company. The Hela plant is the latest investment project in the power generation business for Dirio Gas & Power, which is owned by 11 incorporated land groups and the provincial governments of Hela and Gulf.
The power plant will be located adjacent to and supplied from the Exxon Mobil Hides gas conditioning plant and will provide power through an interconnect to the Ramu Grid which is currently being extended further into the Highlands. Groundbreaking is expected for the third quarter of 2022, with an estimated completion in 2024.
As part of the agreement with Dirio Gas & Power, Twenty20 will provide operations and maintenance services commencing on completion of the construction and commissioning works for 20 years.
Geoff Lawrence, CEO of Twenty20 Energy commented: “Creating the necessary infrastructure to a remote and geographically challenging area like Hela required a number of innovative approaches that will ultimately improve the economy and lives of those in the region.” The Twenty20 approach demonstrates Twenty20’s strategy to take ownership positions in energy assets that deliver long-term returns for investors while also partnering with local communities to deliver tangible improvements in their quality of life and help transition Papua to clean reliable power.
Hela governor Philip Undialu commented: “The PNG government has set 70 % electrification as a goal for PNG by 2030. Our collaborative effort … with Twenty20 Energy is another major step taken in accomplishing this goal, and will bring much-needed reliable power to Hela and the Southern Highlands.”
The new plant will provide a reliable electricity supply to the Hela region, which often suffers from rolling blackouts.
The power station will consist of four Solar Turbines Titan 130 modular power plant sets in open cycle configuration, each with a rated capacity of 16.5 MW. The modular plant design allows for further expansion at a later date, with additional turbines as well as the opportunity for combined cycle configuration to increase generation capabilities and enhance fuel efficiency.
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