Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended PNG Power Limited, ExxonMobil PNG and the Hela Provincial Government for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deliver a gas-fired power project that will, for the first time, provide reliable electricity to communities across Hela and parts of the Southern Highlands.
The new facility at Hides will supply five megawatts of power, with infrastructure works— including generation and transmission—now nearing completion. Once operational, it will light up key townships such as Komo, Koroba, Kopiago, Pori, Tari, Magarima, Nipa, Mendi, and Kandep, ushering in a new era of development for the Highlands region.
“This project is deeply personal to me,” Prime Minister Marape said.“I have lived and worked in this electorate since 1994, and I have seen the power lines pass over our heads to supply Porgera, while Tari and the Hela Basin remained in darkness. To see power finally coming to our people fulfills one of the core reasons that drove me into politics in 2002.”
The Prime Minister described the achievement as “prophetic,” noting that it aligns with the traditional Hela prophecy that “the gas from Hides would one day light up the world.”
He praised ExxonMobil for being a responsible and committed corporate partner in the development of Hela and Southern Highlands, and PNG Power for its work in ensuring that the energy generated is affordable and accessible.
“This is not just about lighting homes — it’s about lighting opportunities,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“With power now coming into Hela, our people can venture into agriculture, small-to- medium enterprises, and tourism. This electricity project will be an incubator for local growth and development.”
The Hela gas-fired power project complements the 132-kilovolt transmission line currently being developed to connect Hides to Yonki and onward to Lae, which will form part of PNG’s national grid transformation program.
Prime Minister Marape also highlighted the broader national benefits of the PNG LNG Project, which has contributed significantly to the economy since its commencement in 2014.
He revealed that the project has generated over K32 billion in total revenue to date:
• K15 billion collected by the National Government in taxes;
• K11 billion in dividend earnings through Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited; and
• K3–4 billion earmarked for landowners, pending the resolution of legal processes.
“PNG LNG has been a cornerstone ofour national revenue base over the past decade, and now it is fitting that it is giving back directly to the province where it all began — by providing power from Hides to light up Hela,” the Prime Minister said.
“I thank everyone involved — PNG Power, ExxonMobil, the Hela Provincial Government, and our landowners — for making this possible. This is a transformational milestone for our province and our nation.”