PNG Power Rolls Out Smart Meters in Fight Against Electricity Theft

 Papua New Guinea's state-owned power utility is turning to digital technology to stamp out widespread electricity theft that continues to drain millions of kina from the company every year. PNG Power Limited says smart meters and upgraded monitoring systems will soon be deployed across the national grid to catch customers tampering with their connections.

Minister responsible for PNG Power, Richard Maru

The move comes as the utility grapples with an overall loss rate of around 12 percent, a figure that combines both stolen power and losses from an ageing technical network.

PNG Power Chairman Mal Lewis told reporters that theft takes several forms, ranging from illegal connections and unauthorised tapping of lines ahead of meters to outright manipulation of meter readings, with both households and companies involved in the practice.

In one striking case, Lewis revealed that a single company had run up an electricity debt of almost K30 million through theft, yet current legislation restricted how much of that amount PNG Power was able to claw back. He argued that the laws governing electricity theft needed to be revisited so offenders could be held properly accountable and the utility could pursue losses accumulated over extended periods.

Minister responsible for PNG Power, Richard Maru, backed the push for a technology-driven solution, saying the company was actively exploring digital tools to combat the problem at its source.

Beyond smart metering, Lewis said the utility was also deploying drones to inspect transmission lines and spot equipment faults before they trigger major blackouts. He added that better asset management and maintenance practices were equally critical, pointing out that the working life of electrical components could vary greatly depending on where they were manufactured and sourced.

Lewis said PNG Power was studying how utilities in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa managed similar challenges, in the hope of adapting workable solutions for PNG's own network.

"There is no single quick solution to PNG Power's challenges, but a combination of better technology, asset management, staff training and appropriate investment can gradually improve the reliability and financial sustainability of the utility," Maru said.