ENVIRONMENT
HYDROPOWER, or hydroelectric power, is a renewable source of energy that generates power by using a dam or diversion structure to alter the natural flow of a river or other body of water.
Hydropower relies on the endless, constantly recharging system of the water cycle to produce electricity, using a fuel—water—that is not reduced or eliminated in the process. There are many types of hydropower facilities, though they are all powered by the kinetic energy of flowing water as it moves downstream.
Hydropower utilises turbines and generators to convert that kinetic energy into electricity, which is then fed into the electrical grid to power homes businesses, and industries.
Electricity generation from hydropower plants
Hydropower uses water to generate electricity. Plants are usually located on or near a water source. The energy available from the moving water depends on both the volume of the water flow and the change in elevation—also known as the head—from one point to another.
The greater the flow and the higher the head, the more the electricity that can be generated. It is high volume of water flow at higher velocity or speed produces more electrical power or less resulting in lower supply of electrical power.
At the plant level, water flows through a pipe—also known as a penstock—and then spins the blades in a turbine, which, in turn, spins a generator that ultimately produces electricity. Most conventional hydroelectric facilities operate this way, including run-of-the-river systems and pumped storage systems.
Hydropower plants in PNG
Hydropower is fast becoming the major renewable energy source in Papua New Guinea, providing approximately 40 per cent of its installed capacity.
The current key projects are the Ramu 1 which has the production capacity of 75 MW, Edevu which has an output capacity of 54 MW that was commissioned in 2023, and Rouna System with an output capacity of 62.2 MW. There are also several smaller ones like the Pauanda and Baiyune targeting stability for the others.
The major operational plants serve Port Moresby, Ramu, and Gazelle Peninsula grids, with significant future potential from large – scale projects and small- scale renewable interventions.
Major PNG pants
1. Eduvu Hydro Power Plant with an out capacity of 54MW located in Central Province on the Brown River, it began feeding into the Port Moresby grid in 2023.
2. Ramu 1 hydropower plant with an output capacity of 75MW located at Ramu River.
3Baiune hydro power stations: Operated by PNG Forest Products Hydro, these stations are the oldest and newest hydro power stations in the country, with a combined installed capacity of 14.9 MW. The Upper Baiune power station was commissioned in January 2013 and is specifically built for the Ramu Grid.
3.Baime hydropower project: Located in Morobe, this project aims to increase power supply and reliability in the region. It will connect into the Ramu Network and improve livelihoods for local communities.
These projects are part of PNG’s efforts to harness its vast renewable energy potential and contribute to the country’s green industrial future.
Papua New Guinea currently operates six hydropower plants with a total capacity of 165 MW, while vast untapped potential of around 14,000 MW exists for future development.
Frieda River Copper Project (Frieda River Hydroelectric FRHEP)
A reservoir for the FRHEP will be constructed within the Frieda, Nena and Niar river valleys downstream of the mine site. A designed 600 MW power facility will be generating 2,800 GWh/year of energy (up to 490 MW). The FRHEP will transmit power to FRCGP using a 22-km-long transmission line. The hydroelectric plant will also provide electricity to the Frieda River Airport. The hydropower plant will feed into the power grids of West Sepik, East Sepik and Western.
Future potential
Papua New Guinea has an estimated hydropower potential of 14,000 MW, of which over 98 per cent remains untapped. The government aims to increase household electrification to 70 per cent by 2030, leveraging hydropower as a renewable, reliable, and environmentally friendly energy source. Strategic development of these resources is expected to support green industrial growth, improve energy security, and reduce reliance on diesel-generated power.
Benefits to connect landowners and rural population to grids
While PNG is picking up momentum in hydropower generation, issues remains that the government and power developers have been and are failing to resolve. The issue is to connect the landowners and rural population to their power grids. During project development negotiations ad agreement should discuss these issues to form part of compensations and benefit sharing agreements.
What connections are there if any to lick up with hydropower generation and distribution to meet what the government is preaching about rural electrification.
What about the development of the Freda River Hydropower? It will provide electricity to the Frieda River Airport. The hydropower plant will power up West Sepik, East Sepik and the Western province. It does not make any references to rural electrification specially to power up landowners and other rural communities.
The recently commissioned Edevu Hydropower project in the central province portray the same story. No electricity to the landowners and the rural populations despite so much electricity generated from its hydropower plant. As Dylan Murray writes in the Weekender of April 10, 2026 “electricity Infrastructure in Papua New Guinea has historically disadvantaged landowners and rural populations, as projects like Sirinumu the first hydropower plant and Edevu the newest addition demonstrates a pattern of repeated exclusion, urban bias, and delayed or partial remedies that reflect a national trend of inequality”.
The Government aims to increase household electrification to 70 per cent by 2030, leveraging hydropower as a renewable, reliable, and environmentally friendly energy source. This statement is way of the mark as the signs points in the opposite direction.
What does households mean? Is it inclusive of the landowner and the rural population or is it exclusive as already evident? There is totally breakdown in transparency in planning and execution of these great developments ideas in almost every week’s newspapers. When is the Government going to be real and alleviate poverty levels in Papua New Guinea?
Other potential sources
Other highly potential alternate sources of renewable energy sources are; solar power, wind power, biomass or biofuel energy, and wave energy.
There is also another alternate source of renewable energy. This can also contribute the energy market in Papua New Guinea. This is being developed by Saith Technologies of a merchandised system referred to as the Greener Power Machine.
The Greener Power Machine (GPM) designed and developed by Saith Technologies. This machine is set to revolutionise the energy sector. It is powered by a Micro-Sonic Energy Device (MSED). The MSED is a technology that generates electrical power by converting high radio frequency energy directly into electricity.
The MSED is a renewable energy with zero emissions. (Carbon dioxide footprint at zero). The MSED works perpetually creating enough energy to power the Machine and the Consumer.
The GPM, according to the manufacturer is capable of producing any amount of electricity from 500kw to thousands of megawatts that can power up towns, cities and organisations big and small.
