THE U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), partnered with the Santos Foundation, its parent company Santos Limited, and Schlumberger LB to launch a solar-powered mini-grid to provide electricity to the Pimaga Vocational Educational Training Centre (VET). This is the second mini-grid the partnership between USAID and Santos has built in Pimaga. The first was launched in 2022 and currently provides electricity to the Pimaga Rural Hospital to facilitate life-saving blood transfusions and other treatment. USAID Country Representative Nino Nadiradze highlighted the importance of leveraging private sector partnerships to support electrification in PNG, and noted that, “Creative approaches, creative partnerships, and private sector engagement are necessary to bring power to communities like Kutubu, Nipa-Kutubu District, to support the government of PNG’s ambitious goal of lighting up 70% of households by 2030, and to ensure that rural electrification is climate smart.” The $57 million USAID Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership (USAID-PEP) is the largest bilateral investment in PNG’s energy sector. USAID aims to facilitate 350,000 new on- and off-grid household electricity connections in part by developing sustainable off-grid models and fostering private sector investment. Over 225,000 of these connections have already been achieved. This Pimaga VET mini-grid was developed in partnership with the Santos Foundation and its parent company Santos Limited, Schlumberger LB, the Department of Education, Pimaga VET Training Centre, and the Nipa-Kutubu District Development Authority. The mini grid will support the VET Centre’s training programs, which serve more than 300 students. The power provided will enhance education outcomes, power staff housing, and support expansion to allow more students in Kutubu and elsewhere to benefit from the opportunities the center provides.