Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE) is drafting a renewable energy law in order to speed up energy sector development in Myanmar

The Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE) is drafting a renewable energy law to develop the sector, said U Maung Maung Kyaw, Chief Engineer from the Department of Renewable Energy and Hydropower Plants under the MOEE.

The ministry is aiming to generate 8 percent of the country’s electricity through renewable sources of energy by 2021. By 2025, the target is for 12pc of all electricity generated in Myanmar to be renewable.

“We have plenty of natural resources such as solar and wind power. What’s lacking is legislation to govern the development of renewable energy. Without the law, investors are not protected and we do not have a system for providing incentives,” said U Maung Maung Kyaw.

“We understand the situation and will try to enact a law to govern renewable energy to speed up development,” he added.

The government will prioritise the development of solar energy, followed by wind energy, U Maung Maung Kyaw said.

On the solar front, the state is currently building a plant in Minbu, Magway Region, which will have the capacity to generate 170MW of electricity when it is complete in February next year. The Minbu plant is the first solar powered plant in Myanmar.

Two more solar plants are expected to be constructed “soon,” U Maung Maung Kyaw said. The plants will be built in Myingyan and Wundwin in Mandalay Region and are expected to have the capacity to generate 150MW of electricity each.

Meanwhile, an agreement has been signed for China’s Three Gorges Corporation to develop a 30MW wind power project in Chaung Thar, Ayeyarwaddy Region. It will be first such project in Myanmar.

Currently, the MOEE is negotiating terms for the power purchase agreement. Development of the Chaung Thar wind power project will commence after, said U Maung Maung Kyaw.

Wind-powered projects can potentially also be developed in Chin State, Rakhine State, Ayeyarwaddy Region, Yangon Region, Shan State, Kayah State, Tanintharyi Region, Mon State and Kayin State, according to the MOEE.

 Myanmar’s push to develop new sources of energy via renewable means coincides with the need to provide businesses ranging from manufacturing to banking with a reliable supply of electricity for further expansion. 

The government has also promised to provide the entire country with access to power by 2030. 

“Myanmar’s renewable energy sector is still at an early development stage but exhibits strong potential to contribute to closing the electricity gap by 2030 in a clean and efficient way,” said Martin Klose, a delegate from the German Industry and Commerce in Myanmar, during the Myanmar – German Renewable Energies Symposium on September 13. 

(The Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/renewable-energy-law-works-speed-development.html )

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