Green Silk Road, Illuminating the South Pacific: Papua New Guinea's First Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Power Station Officially Commences Operation
On April 14, 2026, the NapaNapa 7.095MWp photovoltaic and energy storage project, jointly invested and constructed by Sunny Solar Technology and PNG Blue Pacific, held a grand grid connection ceremony in the capital of Papua New Guinea (PNG). As the first large-scale photovoltaic project to be officially connected to the grid in PNG's history, this not only marks a milestone in the country's energy diversification but also serves as a successful example of Chinese-funded enterprises' deep localization efforts.
The investment and financing work for this project received strong support from China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation and CITIC Bank, providing a solid and reliable financial guarantee for the smooth progress of the project.
Key Highlights: Chinese Technology Facilitates Global Energy Transition
At the grid connection ceremony, His Excellency Yang Xiaoguang, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Papua New Guinea, delivered an important speech. Ambassador Yang first extended his warm congratulations on the commissioning of the Napa Napa solar power project, emphasizing that the project is an important measure for Papua New Guinea to achieve green and sustainable development, address climate change, and improve people's livelihoods. He pointed out that China, as the country with the world's largest power system, has nearly 40% of its power generation coming from renewable energy sources. China is willing to actively strengthen international cooperation in addressing climate change and support Chinese enterprises in "going global" to contribute to the common prosperity of all countries.
Ambassador Yang spoke highly of China-Papua New Guinea relations, noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1976, political mutual trust between the two countries has been continuously strengthened, and they have firmly supported each other on issues involving their core interests. From the Peace Ark hospital ship's mobile medical services to various practical cooperation projects, China has consistently contributed to Papua New Guinea's economic and social development to the best of its ability.
Finally, Ambassador Yang highlighted the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. He emphasized that as the world's second-largest economy, China will adhere to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, sharing development opportunities with all countries, including Papua New Guinea, through further expanding high-level opening-up. China will provide a strong engine for global development with its own robust growth, and is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to elevate the China-Papua New Guinea comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, benefiting the people of both countries.
The successful launch of the NapaNapa project not only represents the export of "Chinese solutions" and "Chinese standards," but also demonstrates China's responsibility as a major power—supporting outstanding enterprises to "go global" and achieve "localization" and take root, thereby contributing to the common prosperity and development of the country.
Creating a win-win situation: Deepening cooperation in Papua New Guinea and solving the power shortage problem
In his address, Papua New Guinea's Minister of National Planning highly praised the project's supporting role in the national strategy. He pointed out that expensive and unreliable electricity supply has long been a major constraint on Papua New Guinea's industrialization process. "The grid connection of the Napa Napa project not only adds 7 megawatts of capacity, but it also serves as a window showcasing how Papua New Guinea can achieve a leapfrog upgrade of its infrastructure by attracting high-quality private partners without increasing the government's financial burden." He further stated that this reliable energy supply will become a "ballast" for attracting investment to the industrial areas surrounding Port Moresby, creating more high-value jobs for the local community.
Technological sovereignty: From fossil fuels to a "fairer and smarter" transition
Papua New Guinea's Minister of State-Owned Enterprises , William Duma, delivered a visionary speech at the official launch ceremony. He emphasized that the country's long-term reliance on imported fossil fuels not only puts Papua New Guinea under enormous foreign exchange pressure but also imposes one of the highest electricity prices in the South Pacific region on its citizens.
Minister Duma pointed out: “Through our collaboration with QT ENERGY, we have introduced world-leading Chinese photovoltaic and energy storage technology. This not only provides Papua New Guinea’s Power Corporation (PPL) with a competitive and constant electricity purchase cost, but more importantly, this ‘photovoltaic + energy storage’ model offers a ‘fairer’ path to solving the power supply problems in remote areas and isolated grids—sunlight is fair to everyone, no matter how rugged the geographical location.” He also requested that KCH Holdings and PNG Power summarize the project’s experience and utilize the “smart technologies” in the Chinese approach to accelerate the modernization of the national grid, ensuring that 70% of the population has access to electricity by 2030.
Deepening its local roots: QT ENERGY opens a new chapter of win-win cooperation
As the local subsidiary of Qingtian Technology established in Papua New Guinea, QT ENERGY demonstrated its firm commitment to the local market at this ceremony. A representative from QT ENERGY stated that Papua New Guinea possesses abundant sunshine resources, but faces challenges such as inconvenient transportation due to its geographical environment and insufficient coverage by the national power grid. Against this backdrop, the "photovoltaic + energy storage" system, with its distributed installation, rapid deployment, and high stability, is undoubtedly the optimal solution to Papua New Guinea's power supply problems.
QT ENERGY emphasizes that as a local company rooted in Papua New Guinea, it has always adhered to conducting business on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
An Unprecedented Celebration: A Green Bond of Friendship Between China and Pakistan
The ceremony was a grand affair, with over 200 guests from both China and Papua New Guinea gathering together. General Manager Kumu, the CTO of Papua New Guinea Electricity Company, the General Manager of the Ministry of Energy, the Minister of Energy, and Chairman Kumu all delivered speeches at the ceremony. In addition to Papua New Guinea government officials and senior executives from state-owned enterprises such as Kumul Consolidated Holdings and PNG Power, representatives from local villages and landowners also attended the commissioning ceremony. The Chinese delegation was exceptionally large. Chairman Lin Huanong of the China-Papua New Guinea Friendship Association, along with representatives and staff from Chinese companies in Papua New Guinea, including China Railway Construction Corporation, China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation, BNBM, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, and local Chinese companies such as AG Investment, IDEAL Hardware, Eliseo, and PISE, were also present to participate in the project's commissioning.
