Chinese and Norwegian investors expressed their interest to invest in power-generation projects in Chin State

Chin State government officials say that they have expressions of interest from foreign investors to invest in power-generation projects in the state.

This was revealed to The Myanmar Times by Chin State Minister of Development, Electricity and Industry U Soe Htet.

The state is among the least developed in the country and is also the recipient of the least foreign and domestic investment.

Only 27 percent of the state has electricity as of December 2019, compared with the overall electrification rate of 50pc in the country. Of the total of nine large townships in Chin, just five are linked to the national grid.

The state government has signed agreements for feasibility studies with international investors to explore power generation opportunities in Chin, U Soe Htet says.

Among the agreements is for three hydropower projects ranging from 10 to 30 megawatts with a Norwegian power company.

Besides this, the state government also signed agreements for feasibility studies for five more hydropower projects of similar capacity with a company from China.

“We are trying to provide electricity for all townships in the state so that we can bring progress to the people more rapidly,” said U Soe Htet.

Beyond the state’s own efforts, a Japanese company has also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Electricity and Energy to conduct feasibility studies for a 30MW hydropower project in Chin.

The state government has also held discussions on power generation projects with companies from South Korea and Australia.

Last year, Italy provided a €30 million loan to Myanmar for the installation of solar panels in rural areas of Chin.

(The Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/chinese-norwegian-investors-study-projects-chin.html )

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