Seminar explores the barriers to centralised electricity expansion, evaluates the potential and risks associated with decentralised solar adoption.
Papua New Guinea faces an electricity access crisis, with only 14% of its population connected to the grid, and even those with access experiencing unreliable service. Given the prohibitive cost of grid expansion, decentralised solar power emerges as a viable solution to the country’s electrification challenges. This paper explores the barriers to centralised electricity expansion, evaluates the potential and risks associated with decentralised solar adoption, and draws lessons from international case studies. Key challenges include financial constraints, regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure limitations and technical capacity gaps. By examining successful off-grid electrification models from Bangladesh, India, East Africa and the Pacific Islands, the paper identifies critical policy interventions needed to enhance the sustainability and scalability of decentralised solar solutions in PNG. These include innovative financing mechanisms, the development of clear regulatory frameworks, the strengthening of maintenance and service models, and the implementation of effective community engagement strategies. Ultimately, the findings underscore that while decentralised solar energy offers a cost effective and scalable pathway to electrification, addressing the underlying economic, regulatory and technical barriers is essential to ensuring its long-term success.
The monthly ANU-UPNG seminar series is part of the partnership between the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and the UPNG, supported by the PNG-Aus Partnership.
This a hybrid seminar held at ANU, UPNG's School of Business and Public Policy MBA Suite and online via Zoom.
Seminar time: 12.30 - 1.30pm AEST and PGT.
Event Speakers
Christian Lohberger
Christian Lohberger is President of the Solar Energy Association of Papua New Guinea and Vice-Chair of the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network.
Martin Davies
Dr Martin Davies is a Professor of Economics at Washington and Lee University. His research interests include international trade and development. He has a D.Phil. from Oxford University, and has taught at UPNG, St John’s College Oxford, and the Foreign Commonwealth Office (UK).