Efforts are being made to deliver cheaper and more reliable power to Papua new Guinea's remote and outer island centres - places not yet connected to the two main electricity grids.
Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
PNG Power Ltd with the IFC, which is part of the World Bank group, signed a deal under which they will identify ways to stimulate private investment and expertise to boost power generation, including through greater use of renewable energy.
The acting managing director of PNG Power, Carolyn Blacklock, said "by having solar, wind and other renewable sources of energy, we will avoid the vulnerability, expense and environmental cost that comes with diesel shipments and storage".
She said PNG Power wanted to leverage the global expertise of the IFC.
The IFC said PNG had one of the most acute energy access challenges in the world with about seven million people lacking access to the country's electric power grid.
It said it wanted to help improve services to the people of PNG and support the government's agenda to be 100 percent renewable by 2050.
