Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) has received a five-volume Feasibility Study for the construction of the proposed Hydro Dam Project located at Karimui, Simbu Province.

The Feasibility Study was presented last Friday January 29 at the Grand Papua Hotel in Port Moresby.

The Study follows a Memorandum of Understanding entered into between the Government of Papua New Guinea, the Simbu Provincial Government and Italian company Salini Impregilo on April 23, 2015.

Salini Impregilo is a global industrial giant with over 100 years’ experience in the construction of major, complex projects such as dams and hydroelectric plants, hydraulic works, railways and metro systems, airports and motorways.

Salini Impregilo is especially recognized as a world leader in the construction of infrastructure projects in the water segment, having built 257 dams and hydroelectric plants. The company is currently involved in the development of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, one of the most complex and ambitious infrastructure challenges in the world, which will be the largest dam in Africa with a total installed capacity of 6,000 MW and an average estimated production of around 15,700 GWh/year.

In the Karimui Hydro Dam Feasibility Study, Salini Impregilo highlights challenges that go beyond construction of the dam including the building of road and bridge infrastructure throughout Simbu province leading up to the dam site to facilitate construction activities. This will include the upgrade and replacement of 42 bridges between Lae and the site.

The study also covered other aspects of the proposed project including social and environmental considerations.

Friday’s presentation was made by Salini’s senior executives including Executive Director, Leopoldo Carlesimo; Directors Enrico La Civita and Mauro Marangio; and attended by Governor for Simbu, Hon. Noah Kool; Member for Karimui-Nomane Open Hon. Mogerema Sigo Wei; Chairman of KCH Paul Nerau; and KCH Managing Director Garry Hersey.

The five-volume Study was also presented both to the Office of the Prime Minister and to the Minister for Public Enterprise and State Investments Hon. William Duma for further consideration.

The installed capacity of the Karimui Hydro Dam Project is 1,800MW which will make it by far largest and most ambitious hydro-power scheme in Papua New Guinea to date. Construction is expected to commence in 2017 and be completed by 2023.

The project will generate the majority of power as part of the National Electrification Roll-Out Plan which aims to provide electricity to 70 percent of all PNG households by 2030.

The proposed project will also further stimulate economic development throughout the country and have enormous social and economic benefits for Simbu Province and the Highlands region.

Learn more about Salini Impregilo