President Toroama on Energy Policy
ABG President Hon Ishmael Toroama says Bougainville can now venture into developing a world class energy sector on Bougainville.
President Toroama made this statement at the launch of the Bougainville Energy Policy in Buka.
He said his Government is aware of the increasing demand for energy across Bougainville, especially in the urban centers, and now with this energy policy and its guiding framework, the Government can confidently make decisions knowing that the required regulations are in place for this sector.
“Evidently Bougainville’s increasing demand for energy has also increased the frequency of problems of energy generation and supply,” he said.
“The growth of economic activities, though a positive sign of development, has put a strain on the capacity of public utilities companies to supply power through its aging diesel-powered generators and outdated infrastructure.”
President Toroama said that the Government has seen growing interest from potential foreign investors to invest in the energy sector on Bougainville, however the lack of a regulatory framework for this sector halted any progress.
“Launching our own Energy Policy today gives me confidence in developing a world class energy sector on Bougainville that caters for the energy needs of every household and businesses in North, Cenral and South Bougainville.”
President Toroama reiterated that Bougainvilleans have proven their innovation and resilience during the blockade and that reflects our unlimited potential for growth, further noting that this growth and development needs to be guided by relevant policies and legislations.
“I have said earlier on that we may have limited capacity but that does not limit our potential for growth and development. We have the physical resources to generate hydro power, land to create solar farms and even produce and refine fossil fuels to sell to overseas and domestic markets. This will enable us to produce energy at industrial levels to cater for large scale industrial projects and earn revenue for the government.”
President Toroama noted the current power supply system being operated in Buin Town of South Bougainville, saying that it is a successful operation on an independent power grid that supplies the entire town.
“It is a good model for business through how it sustains itself but as a public utilities company it will have to be regulated under this policy. Price control and other mechanisms will have to be enforced not only on the Buin grid but on other planned grids throughout Bougainville and the sale of petroleum products on Bougainville,” he said.
[ Back to News ]
