A private investor will manage PNG Power, Marape has announced. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
As parts of Papua New Guinea continue to suffer regular electricity outages, the government has announced a partial privatisation of the state-owned company, PNG Power.
Prime Minister James Marape announced the privatisation at an investment conference in Sydney.
The Post-Courier quotes him saying, "we are sick of this monster that continues to burden us and hold us down."
The government is to retain substantial rights, but a private investor will manage the company.
Marape told the conference the government wants a private investor committed to delivering "cheaper, reliable, and cleaner power" for the people of Papua New Guinea.
The partial privatisation of PNG Power aligns with broader efforts to modernise the country's infrastructure and address long-standing inefficiencies in public service delivery.
The government expects this move to enhance energy accessibility, reduce operational burdens, and stimulate economic growth in the resource and energy sectors.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Lae, John Rosso, said the government has appointed a Lae businessman, Mal Lewis, as the new chairman of PNG Power.
His comment came as Lae City suffered further power outages.
Since this story was published Paul Bayly, who was previously permanent secretary for the ministry of infrastructure and transport in Fiji and had responsibility for power and water state owned companies in that role, has been appointed as CEO of PNG Power Ltd.
This story was updated on 25 August 2025.
