On Tuesday evening April 23, 2024, the Palau Public Utilities Corporation held a townhall meeting in Melekeok State to update the community on PPUC matters to include power, water and sewer services, utility rates especially the Solar IPP project and its impact to electric rates, customer services, water quality, available subsidies and more. The meeting served as an open platform for residents, stakeholders and community leaders to voice out their concerns and questions regarding PPUC’s various services and projects.
PPUC also used this opportunity to clarify inaccurate information that has been widely disseminated regarding the Solar IPP Project. CEO Frank Kyota explained that the implementation of the solar IPP project is a government-driven initiative with the purpose of reaching our national renewable energy targets. This endeavor will reduce our reliance on diesel fuel, and thereby insulate us from the price volatility that results in regular and mostly unfavorable adjustments in electrical rates. In fact, the implementation of the IPP has suppressed the fuel rate since beginning of this year, avoiding much steeper increases to electric rates.
Additionally, PPUC provided an update on the ongoing JICA Grid Upgrade Project which will improve the stability and reliability of power supply by reducing system power loss and reducing frequency of power outages. The Project will include installation of a new 34.5kV transmission line connection from the Malakal substation to Babeldaob and connecting to the Kokusai substation at Ngatpang via the east side of the island (Desbedall). This includes the installation of approximately 21 miles long insulated wire and over 400 new power poles. In addition, the project will also upgrade three of the existing substations in Malakal, Airai and Kokusai. The aged 10MW transformers at the Malakal substation and Airai substation will also be replaced with new 15MW transformers which will increase capacity equivalent to an additional 7,500 houses.
Our next townhall is scheduled for April 30, 2024 in Aimeliik State to be held at the Ngerkeai Community Center.
PPUC Holds Townhall Meeting in Melekeok State
