The new power projects on the track for completion on time with the aim of fulfilling the projected increase in demand nationwide for electricity during the hot season

To provide electricity before height of the dry season arrives in March, new power plants need to be completed on time, says Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy U Khin Maung Win.

Seven new power plants that are expected to generate more than 1,000 megawatts of additional electricity are being built in Magwe, Shwetaung, Kyunchaung, Ahlone, Kyaukphyu, Thanlyin, and Thaketa, with the aim of fulfilling the projected increase in demand nationwide for electricity during the hot season.

Of the projects, five are being implemented under a tender called by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy last June.

Two of the projects, a 151.54MW power plant in Ahlone and a 20mw power plant in Kyunchaung being built by Chinese companies. will generate electricity with natural gas provided by the government.

The other three projects, a 150MW plant in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State, and a 350MW plant in Thanlyin, and a 400MW plant in Thaketa, both in Yangon Region, will generate electricity with imported liquefied natural gas.

V-Power Co, the Hong Kong-based winner of one of the tenders, says its work for the power project is on track, with work on infrastructure such as jetties for the docking of LNG-carrying ships, regasification units, pipelines to carry natural gas, and power transmission lines progressing rapidly in Thilawa, Yangon.

However, work on the 150MW plant in Ahlone, Yangon , under China Energy Engineering Corp (CEEC), has hit some setbacks. China-based suppliers of machinery for the project have been closed because of the COVID-19 outbreak and experts from the companies have also been unable to come to Myanmar due to travel restrictions put in place to combat the outbreak, says a spokesperson from the Ministry of Electricity and Energy. 

Meanwhile, a 66MW natural gas power plan in Magway has started operating.

The country’s power needs are increasing 15pc to 17pc per year with present power production totalling 3,566 MW. Yangon Region uses 50pc of the total at 1,436 MW and Mandalay Region comes second with over 500 MW.

The ministry said power demand is expected to rise by 1,500 MW this year. – Translated

(The Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/power-projects-track-completion-ministry-says.html )

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