PNG National Power Sector Forum 3 April 2025 Government of PNG and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have agreed on the need of a National Power Sector Forum that will bring all key players in the sector and senior government decision makers in one place to discuss the sector issues, challenges, opportunities and way forward with actionable roadmap for energy sector development. The Forum will focus on the following two key strategic priority areas: (i) sector planning for future infrastructure development, attracting private sector, and accelerating electrification rollout towards scaling-up renewable energy resources; and (ii) financial sustainability: utility reforms, privatization, and tariff frameworks. A results framework with key result areas, development interventions and key outcomes with result indicators divided into short term (2025) and medium term (2026–2030). Objectives: The objective of the Forum is to develop an action plan that will focus on providing reliable, affordable, sustainable energy for promoting comprehensive and inclusive economic growth. Target Participants: Government of PNG Ministers and Senior Officials, ADB Management, PNG Energy Sector Agencies, Development Partners, Academia, Public and Private sector. Program and Learning Materials 03 April 2025 Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Day 1: Open Forum – Addressing Challenges and Strategic Priorities 8:30 am Welcome Remarks Said Zaidansyah, Country Director, ADB 8:30 am Opening Remarks Priyantha Wijayatunga,Senior Sector Director Energy, ADB Hon. William Duma (Minister of State Enterprises) 8:30 am Keynote Address Hon. James Marape (Prime Minister) 10:00 am Photo break 10:15 am Session 1: Sector Planning – Developing a Power Sector Master Plan, and Renewable and Climate Policies Moderator: Keiju Mitsuhashi, Director, ADB 10:15 am Introduction Peter Baum, Senior Energy Specialist, ADB 10:15 am Government plans and outlook Hon. Thomas Opa, Minister of Energy 10:15 am Power Sector Planning and Sector Governance - Experience from Indonesia The presentation discussed the sector and investment planning in Indonesia. Syofvi Felienty Roekman 10:15 am Philippines – Sector planning, privatization, and private sector participation This presentation discussed sector planning, privatization, and private sector participation in the Philippines. Antonio Barcelona 10:15 am Panel discussion 1. Koney Samuel, Secretary, Department of National Planning and Monitoring 2. Dr. Cate Rogers Minister Counsellor Economics, Health and Infrastructure, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs 3. Matsuoka Hideaki, Chief Representative, JICA 11:30 am Session 2: Financial Sustainability and Tariff Reforms Moderator: Hyunjung Lee, Senior Energy Economist, ADB 11:30 am Introduction Hyunjung Lee, Senior Energy Economist, ADB 11:30 am PNG National Power Sector Forum - Shared focus on Financial Sustainability Reform in progress: PPL’s recent service improvements and continued commitment for turnaround Kingston Albert 11:30 am Financial Sustainability and Tariff Reforms Tariff regulation and assessment of sector’s financial challenges. Satnam Singh 11:30 am. Global Insights: ADB’s Programmatic Approach to Power Sector Reforms in Sri Lanka In Sri Lanka, ADB’s programmatic approach and policy-based loan for the Power Sector Reforms and Financial Sustainability aims to consolidate the… Priyantha Wijayatunga 12:30 pm Lunch Break. - 1:30 pm Session 3: Privatization and Utility Reforms Moderator: Peter Baum, Senior Energy Specialist, ADB Introduction Peter Baum, Senior Energy Specialist, ADB Power Sector Reforms and Private Sector Participation - Sri Lankan Experience This presentation discussed Preparing and implementing utility reforms and privatization. Rohan Seneviratne Power Utility Reforms and Privatizations This presentation discussed the lessons Learned from Market Restructuring / Utility Concessions in Uganda, Vanuatu, Ghana, and Panama Eric Shumway Panel discussion 1. Antonio Barcelona, Division Chief Department of Energy Philippines: Sector restructuring and privatization in the Philippines 2. Professor David Kavanamur, MD, KCH: Ongoing utility reform processes in PPL 3. Mariano Salto, Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank: Enabling environment for privatization 2:30 pm Session 4: Electrification Rollout – Leveraging On- and Off-grid Solutions to Connect PNG’s Population to Power Moderator: Tika Limbu, Principal Energy Specialist, ADB Global Insights: Success story of electrification in Nepal Nepal, a lower-middle-income economy has achieved 99% electrification, and 76 of the 77 districts are connected to the national grid. In 2010, Nepal… Dinesh Kumar Ghimire Panel discussion – electrification through different approaches Panelists: 1. Syofvi Roekman, Director, Tetratech, formerly PLN (Indonesia) 2. James Nelson, CEO, Dirio Gas and Power 3. Artemiy Izmestyev, Country Economist, UNDP 4. Mr. Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, Ex- Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Nepal 3:30 pm Tea break 3:45 pm Session 5: Expanding Renewable Energy through Private Sector Investments Moderator: Hyunjung Lee, Senior Energy Economist, ADB 3:45 pm Improving Regulations and Guidelines for Private Sector Participation in the Generation Sector through standardizing the PPAs and identifying remaining challenges and plans from the regulator The National Energy Authority (NEA) addressed the critical role of standards and oversight for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to enhance… Ronald Meketa 3:45 pm ADB's Experiences in Asia and the Pacific and ingredients to unlock renewable potential in PNG – success stories and lessons learned This presentations discussed the lesson learned in renewable energy projects in PNG from ADB perspective. Henri Devys 3:45 pm Overcoming Challenges in Renewables Development This presentation discussed the lesson learned in energy development projects from Southeast Asia. Eric Shumway 4:45 p.m. Session 6: A Deeper Dive into Global Success Stories 4:45 p.m. Introduction Tika Limbu, Principal Energy Specialist, ADB 4:45 p.m. Break-out sessions (Two rotations, 20 minutes): 4:45 p.m. Nepal – rapid electrification Mr. Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, Ex- Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Nepal 4:45 p.m. Indonesia – sector and investment planning Syofvi Roekman, Director, Tetratech, formerly PLN (Indonesia) 4:45 p.m. Philippines – Sector planning, privatization, and private sector participation Antonio Barcelona, Division Chief Department of Energy Philippines 4:45 p.m. Sri Lanka – privatization and utility reforms Rohan Seneviratne, former CEO, Ceylon Electricity Board 4:45 p.m. Regional – tariff and regulatory reforms Priyantha Wijayatunga,Senior Sector Director Energy, ADB 5:30 pm Wrap-up followed by reception and Forum dinner Keiju Mitsuhashi, Director, ADB 5:45 pm Closing Remarks John Rosso, Deputy Prime Minister,PNG 6:00 pm Reception and informal engagement among stakeholders to discuss key takeaways from Day 1. Disclaimer The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Event Coordinator/s Peter Baum Related Full Agenda _dsc6196.JPG _dsc6201.JPG ADB Organizer/s Pacific Department Topics Energy Governance and Public Sector Management