Ok Tedi: Western Province comes first in ‘Lighting up the West’ initiative

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (Ok Tedi) has reaffirmed that Western Province remains a priority under its major electrification initiative, Lighting Up the West (LTW), delivered through Ok Tedi Power Limited (OTPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ok Tedi.

The company said in a statement the program is designed to bring reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to communities across Papua New Guinea’s western region, which includes predominantly Western Province and parts of East and West Sepik provinces.

Related news: https://www.postcourier.com.pg/ok-tedi-western-province-comes-first-in-lighting-up-the-west-initiative/ 

“Ok Tedi is 100% Papua New Guinea owned, and our people are driving this development. Lighting Up the West starts at home. Western Province is our host, and it is our priority.

Work in other provinces is about planning for the future, not replacing our commitment to the people of Western Province,’’ Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kedi Ilimbit said.

“If you live in Western Province, the LTW initiative is already underway.’’

Mr. Ilimbit said LTW is a multi-decade infrastructure program supporting:

• Western Province’s life after mine

• Long-term social license with host communities

• Economic diversification across the region

• National Government electrification goals

The LTW initiative is being rolled out to Western Province and subsequently to West Sepik and East Sepik provinces, with support from the respective provinces.

Work is already underway in Western Province under this initiative, with construction and delivery including:

• Grid extensions in Kiunga and the highway corridor

• The establishment of the Ningerum mini-grid

• Stand-alone solar power systems for priority Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) villages

Recently, a team from Ok Tedi undertook a fact-finding mission to East Sepik Province, which is required under the new Generation, Transmission, Distribution, and Retail (GTDR) licenses.

Fact-finding visits to other grids within the three provinces are being planned and scheduled.