Hydro generation could cease to conserve water

Caption:  Dam level comparison (L) dam level this week, and that of the level in June last year.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, November 1, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

WITH the onset of the current dry spell hitting most parts of the country- the capital’s, only tapped into, water supply at the Sirinumu Dam will shut electricity generation in order to preserve water supply into Port Moresby if the current spell persists.

Currently sitting on 129 million cubic meters (Mcm) of water as of Monday (October 26)- dam operator and electricity provider PNG Power Limited (PPL) stated that current levels, though below the 50 percent mark, are manageable for the generation of electricity to the city.

However, with current agreements placing limits to electricity production and more prominence to water supply to NCD’s close to 1 million residents- they would cease hydro production once the dam level reaches the 100Mcm mark.

PPL Water Management Officer, Laun Medakou said that because the dam is the main catchment (storage) site for water before it is channeled to Rouna 2 hydro power plant- the level of water released has been reduced.

“Because of the water level we are using all thermal and gas generation facilities,” Mr Medakou said.

“We currently have 8 percent of additional water in the dam to play around with before the limit agreed to cease hydro power production.”

“We have a verbal agreement with Eda Ranu where we cannot come down any more than 100 million cubic meters, which from now we have 29 million cubic meters to play around with before that level.”

He added that despite positive rainfall occurring early on Monday for the first time since May this year, more rain was needed to fill up the catchment areas to acceptable levels.

“Last night it rained heavily for the first time since May to supply 18.6 mm of rain during this morning,” he said.

“We want more rain from the catchment area.”

Currently the city consumes 110 megawatts of electricity on maximum demand.

“It is a lot of demand, after the increase in property construction, LNG- our demand might go up to 118-120 megawatts.”

“The current level of the water can cater for the next 8 month or so in terms of both water and power supply.”

“People should start conserving like Eda Ranu is urging also, but for our case switch of lights not in use, be wise to use it and conserve water,” said Medakou.