PNGUoT TO COLLABORATE WITH THE NATIONAL ENERGY AUTHORITY
The Papua New Guinea University of Technology ( PNGUoT ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with the National Energy Authority ( NEA ) aimed at creating collaborative efforts in providing accessible consultancy services in energy related matters.
This strategic partnership will establish strong relations between the two organizations, paving way for collaborative policy reviews and research, and training.
PNGUoT Vice Chancellor, Professor Ora Renagi expressed that the institution is ready to take on the challenge because energy is a project needed in the rural and urban communities as well.
“We have a lot of capacity in technology here with the intellectual property that all of my staff have. We have to be seen to be exercising this knowledge capacity that we have and then impacting society positively.”
The National Energy Authority’s ( NEA ) is responsible for ensuring that households and businesses in PNG will have access to reliable and affordable electricity in the near future.
Their core functions are policy making and regulations of the energy market, including electricity and downstream gas industry, under the energy laws in PNG.
NEA’s Managing Director Ronald Meketa said the target is to provide 70% of households in PNG with electricity by 2030, and 100% by 2050, and partnerships like these are vital to achieve such targets.
s
PNGUoT being a recognized institute of Higher Education will collaborate with the NEA to provide guidance on policies, training and research activities, and this will also pave the way for on-the-job training for students.
Mr. Meketa concluded before signing the MoU that they are committed to supporting PNGUoT projects on campus, which includes the solar rooftop project under the Sustainable Energy Research Institute, which could not be completed due to financial constraints.