The National Energy Authority (NEA) is a new regulatory body that was established by the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 2021 to oversee the energy sector in the country. The NEA aims to promote the development and utilization of all indigenous energy sources, such as hydro, gas, solar, geothermal, coal, wind, biomass, and biofuels, and to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all1. The NEA is also responsible for licensing and regulating independent power producers, small power systems, and energy service providers in remote rural areas2.
Background and Activities of the NEA
The NEA was created by the National Energy Authority Act 2020, which was passed by the Parliament of PNG in December 2020. The Act repealed the Electricity Industry Act 2002 and transferred the functions and powers of the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) related to the electricity industry to the NEA3. The NEA is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Minister for Energy, and is headed by an interim managing director, Mr. Ronald Meketa4.
The NEA has been in transition for the last two years and is set to be fully operational by 2025. The NEA is planning to conduct its consultation workshop with intergovernmental agencies to ensure they are fully functioning in three years’ time, according to Mr. Meketa4. He stated that the small power system and having the appropriate policies in place will now be the NEA’s main priorities.
The NEA’s core activities include:
- Developing and implementing national energy policies, plans, strategies, standards, and regulations
- Promoting and facilitating the development of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures
- Licensing and regulating electricity generation, transmission, distribution, retailing, and supply activities
- Monitoring and enforcing compliance with energy laws, regulations, licenses, contracts, and agreements
- Protecting the interests of consumers and ensuring fair competition in the energy market
- Supporting and coordinating with other government agencies, development partners, private sector, civil society, and communities on energy matters
- Conducting research and development on energy technologies and innovations
- Providing technical assistance and capacity building on energy issues
Achievements and Strengths of the NEA
The NEA has achieved some notable milestones since its establishment, such as:
- Developing and finalizing the Papua New Guinea Regulation for Small Power Systems, which was handed over to the NEA by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in April 2022. The Regulation provides for private and public investments in energy service products including power systems of less than one megawatt (< 1 MW). It allows for the involvement of communities irrespective of the business models to be used. Micro, small and medium enterprises can now look to becoming energy service providers in remote areas of the country, bringing affordable energy services to rural villages. This will unlock a variety of commercial activities in the communities and expand the local economies2.
- Launching its official website (https://nea.gov.pg/) and social media platforms (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nea.gov.pg/, Twitter: https://twitter.com/nea_gov_pg) to provide information and updates on its activities and services.
- Participating in various national and international events and forums on energy issues, such as the PNG Energy Summit 2022, the Pacific Energy Update 2022, and the COP26 Climate Change Conference.
- Collaborating with various stakeholders and partners on energy projects and initiatives, such as PNG Power Ltd., Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), UNDP, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, Australian Government, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), European Union (EU), New Zealand Government, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Pacific Power Association (PPA), Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE), etc.
Some of the key strengths of the NEA are:
- Its mandate to develop all indigenous energy sources and increase access to electricity for all PNG households by 2030
- Its vision to transform PNG into a low-carbon economy that is resilient to climate change impacts
- Its commitment to uphold good governance, transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness in its operations
- Its capacity to leverage on its network of partners and supporters in the energy sector
- Its potential to create employment opportunities, income generation activities, and social benefits for PNG citizens through its energy projects
Comparison with Other Employers in PNG
The NEA is one of the few government agencies in PNG that is dedicated to the energy sector. It is comparable to other employers in PNG that are involved in the energy industry, such as:
- PNG Power Ltd. (PPL), which is the state-owned enterprise that owns and operates the main electricity grids in PNG, and provides electricity services to about 15% of the population.
- Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd. (KPHL), which is the national oil and gas company of PNG, and manages the state’s interests in the petroleum sector.
- Oil Search Ltd. (OSL), which is an oil and gas exploration and production company that operates in PNG and other countries, and is the largest company listed on the PNG Stock Exchange.
The NEA differs from these employers in terms of its role, scope, and focus. The NEA is a regulatory body that oversees the entire energy sector, while PPL, KPHL, and OSL are mainly involved in specific segments of the sector, such as electricity, oil, and gas. The NEA also has a broader and more inclusive approach to energy development, as it promotes the use of renewable energy sources and small power systems, and encourages the participation of communities and private sector in energy service provision. The NEA also has a stronger alignment with the national development goals and the global sustainable development agenda, as it aims to provide affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Comparison with Other Employers in the World
The NEA is similar to other employers in the world that are responsible for regulating and developing the energy sector in their respective countries or regions, such as:
- Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of Kenya, which is an independent statutory body that regulates the electrical energy, petroleum, and related products sectors in Kenya.
- Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore, which is a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry that regulates the electricity and gas industries in Singapore.
- Australian Energy Regulator (AER), which is an independent statutory authority that regulates electricity networks and covered gas pipelines in Australia.
The NEA shares some common features with these employers, such as:
- Having a legal mandate to license and regulate energy activities and operators
- Having a vision to provide safe, secure, reliable, and affordable energy for their customers
- Having a mission to promote competition, efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in the energy sector
- Having a structure that consists of a board of directors, a management team, and various divisions or departments
- Having a website and social media platforms to communicate with their stakeholders and the public
However, the NEA also faces some unique challenges and opportunities that distinguish it from these employers, such as:
- Operating in a country that has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, and a high dependence on fossil fuels for power generation
- Operating in a country that has abundant natural resources for renewable energy, but also faces geographical, infrastructural, financial, technical, and institutional barriers to harness them
- Operating in a country that is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and has committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030
- Operating in a country that has diverse cultural and social contexts, and needs to engage with various stakeholders and communities on energy issues
How Wantokjobs.com Can Assist with Recruitment
Wantokjobs.com is an online platform that connects job seekers and employers in PNG. It offers various features and services that can assist the NEA with its recruitment needs, such as:
- Posting job vacancies on its website (https://www.wantokjobs.com/) and social media pages (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wantokjobs/, Twitter: https://twitter.com/wantokjobs) to reach a wide range of potential candidates
- Providing online tools for screening and shortlisting applicants based on their qualifications, skills, experience, and preferences
- Providing online tools for conducting interviews and assessments using video calls, chat messages, or email
- Providing online tools for verifying references and credentials of applicants using digital certificates, online databases, or third-party services
- Providing online tools for issuing job offers and contracts using electronic signatures, online payments, or digital wallets
- Providing online tools for onboarding new hires using online orientation, training modules, or e-learning platforms
Wantokjobs.com can help the NEA find qualified, skilled, experienced, and motivated candidates for its various positions. It can also help the NEA save time, money, and resources by streamlining its recruitment process using online technologies. It can also help the NEA enhance its employer brand by showcasing its achievements, strengths, values, and culture on its website and social media pages.
Conclusion
The National Energy Authority is a new employer in PNG that offers exciting opportunities for people who are interested in working in the energy sector. The NEA has a vital role to play in developing PNG’s energy resources and providing access to electricity for all. The NEA also
has a vision to transform PNG into a low-carbon economy that is resilient to climate change impacts. The NEA is looking for candidates who share its vision and mission, and who have the qualifications, skills, experience, and passion to work in the energy sector. Wantokjobs.com can help the NEA find and recruit such candidates using its online platform and features. If you are interested in working for the NEA, you can visit Wantokjobs.com and apply for the available positions. You can also follow the NEA on its website and social media pages to learn more about its activities and services. Working for the NEA can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice that can make a positive difference for PNG and the world.
References
: New Energy Authority to be established in six months. (2021, April 29). The PNG Bulletin. https://thepngbulletin.com/news/new-energy-authority-to-be-established-in-six-months/
: National Energy Authority introduces the Papua New Guinea Regulation for Small Power Systems. (2022, April 11). United Nations Development Programme. https://www.undp.org/papua-new-guinea/stories/national-energy-authority-introduces-papua-new-guinea-regulation-small-power-systems
: National Energy Authority Act 2020. (2020). National Gazette of Papua New Guinea. https://www.iccc.gov.pg/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/National-Energy-Authority-Act-2020.pdf
: National Energy Authority to be fully operational by 2025. (2022, September 26). PNG Business News. https://www.pngbusinessnews.com/articles/2022/9/national-energy-authority-to-be-fully-operational-by-2025