Papua New Guinea
Southern Energy Systems develops geothermal, hydro and renewable power projects to bring reliable electricity to the people of PNG — and to help the nation reach its goal of 70% electrification by 2030.
Installed capacity at the Lihir Island geothermal plant — PNG's first and the nation's only operating geothermal field, supplying roughly 75% of the island gold operation's power.
One of the lowest access rates in the Pacific. Around 87% of Papua New Guineans still live without a reliable grid connection.
The PNG Electrification Partnership (PNG, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the USA) aims to connect 70% of the population by 2030 — requiring roughly 300 MW of new grid capacity.
PNG holds an estimated 20,000 MW of gross hydropower potential, of which about 14,000 MW is considered technically feasible.
Who we are
Papua New Guinea sits on one of the richest renewable resource bases in the Pacific — an estimated 20,000 MW of hydropower potential and a volcanic arc with proven, world-class geothermal fields. Yet only around 13% of our people have reliable power.
Southern Energy Systems exists to close that gap. We identify, study and develop indigenous energy resources — geothermal, hydro, solar and gas-to-power — partnering with communities, government and international financiers to deliver dependable electricity where it is needed most.
Our flagship resource
PNG's only operating geothermal plant on Lihir Island already delivers 56 MW and supplies about 75% of the island's power needs. With 55 recorded geothermal sites along the Bismarck volcanic arc — and only seven yet mapped — the opportunity to scale clean, 24/7 baseload power across the nation is enormous.
Lihir confirms high-temperature, high-permeability systems in PNG's arc.
Talasea, Pago, Deidei, Rabaul and more await full appraisal.
Geothermal runs day and night, firming up hydro and solar.
Energy projects & data
A snapshot of the geothermal, hydro, solar and gas developments driving the nation toward universal electricity access.
GeothermalPNG has 55 recorded geothermal sites; only seven have been mapped and sampled. Priority prospects include Talasea on the Willaumez Peninsula, Kasiloli and Silanga at Pago volcano, Deidei on Fergusson Island, and Rabaul's Tavurvur — all driven by subduction along the Bismarck arc.
HydroRun-of-river schemes such as the Kaugel River tap the abundant rainfall and steep gradients of the Highlands to deliver clean, dispatchable power close to demand centres.
PNG primary energy mix · 2023
Today oil and biomass dominate, while hydro and geothermal supply just a sliver of primary energy. PNG's national plan targets 57% renewables in the power mix by 2027 — the transition Southern Energy Systems is built to deliver.
Dominant fuel — diesel and liquid fuels for generation and transport.
Wood and agricultural residues, largely rural household use.
Up 13 points since 2010, driven by the PNG LNG project.
Primary electricity from renewables — the growth frontier.
Hydropower
14,000 MW feasible potential
Whether you are a landowner group, government agency, investor or development partner, Southern Energy Systems is ready to collaborate on clean energy projects across Papua New Guinea.