PNG POWER IMPLEMENTS RAMU GRID LOAD SHEDDING AMID EL NIÑO DROUGHT

PNG Power Limited has implemented load shedding across the Ramu Grid due to critically low water levels at Yonki Dam, affecting electricity supply to customers in Lae, Madang, Goroka, Jiwaka, Kundiawa and Mount Hagen.

The load shedding schedule took effect on October 22nd, 2026, and will continue indefinitely as the country experiences an extended dry spell associated with the El Niño season.

In an earlier media notice dated October 5th, PNG Power reported that Yonki Dam’s water level had dropped to 1,239 metres, which was 19.4 metres below its normal operating level of 1,258.4 metres.

PNG Power Limited says, the water level had fallen below half the height of the dam’s intake tower, reducing hydroelectricity generation capacity.

The company is now urging residential, commercial and industrial customers to conserve electricity by switching off non-essential appliances and avoiding high electricity consumption during peak demand periods, while also encouraging businesses and households with alternative power sources, including standby generators and solar systems, to use them during peak periods to help ease demand on the grid.

PNG Power technical teams are continuously monitoring water inflows and optimising available generation assets to minimise disruptions.

PNG Power Limited has appealed for customers’ understanding and cooperation, saying its priority is to sustain electricity supply across the Ramu Grid for as long as possible