The large scale electricity project, 1,280 megawatt coal power plant in Kayin State could be against the constitution and existing electricity laws

TTCL Co’s plan to build a $3 billion 1,280-megawatt coal power plant in Kayin State could be against the Constitution and existing electricity laws.

The Thai company had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kayin State government to conduct project feasibility studies a few months ago.

But according to the Constitution, large-scale electricity projects of more than 30MW are to be managed by the Union government, whereas Region and State governments are permitted to build and manage projects below 30MW as stipulated under the electricity law. 

As such, the MOU with TTCL Co goes against the laws and it is necessary to make sure the Kayin State Government follows the law, former Hluttaw MP Daw Nan Say Aur said at an October 27 press conference.  

In addition, the agreement has not met the country’s standards of transparency and accountability to the communities potentially displaced by project’s construction. “According to farm law, the government is responsible for substituting the acquired lands and giving compensation at the market price, Daw Nan Say Aur said.

However, residents and civil societies allege that both TTCL Co and the Kayin State government have not discussed fair compensation of the land so far. It is not clear if sufficient damages will be paid to farmers or society, they said.
In addition, some have accused the state government of pandering in favour of TTCL Co.  

“We voted for the National League of Democracy government. We want them to listen to the people’s voice. An MP has to oversee the negotiation process.  Now, there are no checks and balances,” Saw Thar Boe, a local resident, said.

There may be side effects of that project and it should be explained to residents, he added. As the coal project will require use of water from the Thanlwin River, it may affect environment, air, land and water resources in Kayin and Mon states along the river, other residents agreed.

Regulations and a monitoring committee to oversee the project are necessary , while procedures to shut down the plant if it violates the regulations during its 30-year contract must be put in place, Daw Nan Say Aur said.

Last June, 33 civil societies which are said to have the support of 114 social organisations in Kayin State made a statement rejecting the project. Now, they are planning to write an objection letter to the President and the State Counsellor, The Myanmar Times understands.

(The Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/thai-kayin-coal-plant-project-against-law-former-hluttaw-mp.html )

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