Ok Tarim Hydroelectric Project

Country: Papua New Guinea

Location: Ok Tarim village, Western Province

Commissioned: 29 October 2012

Turbine: Pelena single-nozzle Pelton

Electrical Rating: 5kW

Client: Western Province Sustainable Power Limited, a subsidiary of PNGSDP, trading as Western Power

Turbine Supplier: Pelena Energy

Civil Works Design: Pelena Energy

Civil Works: Pelena Energy, Client, and Community

Weir: Gabion-cage rock core with rubber lining

Hydraulic Works Design: Pelena Energy

Hydraulic Works: Pelena Energy and Community

Controls: Pelena Energy

Electrical Works: Pelena Energy and Client

Construction Summary

In October 2012, the dedication of the Ok Tarim community was demonstrated through the construction of their hydro in only 15 days!

To Pelena, this project once again demonstrates that remote, rural communities are willing and able to enhance their livelihoods through the utilisation of skills that naturally exist in their communities. Engineering practices, in the true definition of ‘engineering’, are essential to daily life in a rural village. Building a micro-hydro is an extension of this skill set. Furthermore, engaging with communities and utilising local skills is of sound engineering practice as it establishes a foundation of skill and knowledge that results in local ownership and on-the-job training for future maintenance and expansion; an essential component to operating an electrification system in a remote location.

The project involved the construction of a weir, digging a trench for burying the pipe (penstock), installing a settling tank, constructing a turbine house (concrete foundations through to turbine and electrical installation), electrical transmission line to and throughout the village, and electrical reticulation of the village including street lights, house lights and GPO’s (“power points”).

Pelena Energy representatives Peter Lynch (Australia) and Nixon Silas (Solomon Islands) worked with Western Power (PNG) representatives Lester Lohia, Alex Tomba, Ben Kimali, and Gary Barip to assist and direct the Ok Tarim community to construct the hydro.

Pelena Energy sincerely thanks the community of Ok Tarim for being so welcoming, trusting, and committed to this project and to thank the local MP, Hon. Boka Kondra for his enthusiasm to bring electricity to this remote location.

Pelena Energy also sincerely thanks the management of Western Power for the opportunity to demonstrate Pelena’s approach in PNG for the first time. In particular, Mr Joseph Bariamu, Mr Peter Hairai, Mr Don Manoa, and Mr Mathias Sammy.