Partnership Opportunity: Mongi-Bulum Hydroelectric Energy Project

The Mongi – Bulum hydroelectricity power project is a proposed clean energy hydroelectricity power project near Pindiu area of Finschhafen District in Morobe Province.

This potential clean energy hydro project pre-feasibility study was carried out by PNG Power and Entura Hydro Tasmania Engineering since July 2013. Mongi – Bulum hydroelectricity project is located 70km NW of Lae city in a challenging geography setting.

Based on a hydro engineering model, the Entura/PNG Power study (July 2013) affirmed these hydro turbine plant assumptions;

• a 27m high diversion dams,
• intake structures,
• underground desilting chambers,
• a 21km lined concrete tunnels,
• a forebay chamber,
• a 1630m long steel lined inclined shaft from the forebay to the power tunnel,
• a surface power station housing, and
•  a 3 x 38.7 MW Francis turbines with a net-head 247m and a design discharge
• of 54m3/s

The pre-feasibility study noted that the Mongi – Bulum hydro project is financially viable despite some significant geo-physical and hydrological risks. A full-scale feasibility study is a must to ascertain the hydrology and geo – physical soundness of this proposed hydro power project.

Another study by JICA also promoted the feasibility of the Mongi-Bulum proposed hydro project