Electricity usage in Myanmar started only recently in 1908 when the British colonial authorities allowed private operators to supply electricity to urban areas. Some local businesses were able to generate and supply electricity to towns and cities due to very small population in those times. Rural electrification was almost unknown. After Myanmar attained independence in 1948, the then government established " Electricity Supply Board " in 1951 and thus began the government monopoly on utilities . One of the major electrification schemes was the construction of hydroelectric facilities in Kayah State, then an isolated outpost in the far reaches of Myanmar. Lawpita project was a massive undertaking, financed partially by war reparation funds provided by the Japanese government. The project was implemented under very difficult conditions. Myanmar was self-sufficient in electricity then. But subsequent increases in population from 16.8 million during pre-war years to 35.3 million in 1983 means that demand had outstripped supply. The Electricity Supply Board was reorganized as the "Electric Power Corporation" (EPC) in 1972 by the Revolutionary Council Government. The Ministry of Energy, formed in 1985, was responsible for exploration of oil and gas as well as electricity generation and distribution throughout the country. Finally, an independent entity was created by the State Law and Order Restoration Council government on 15 th November 1997 to deal more effectively in electric power sector. Thus, the Ministry of Electric Power is responsible for generation and distribution of electricity for economic development. The Myanma Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE), a state-owned utility, is responsible for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The Ministry has the objective of supplying electricity via hydro power sources i.e. renewable sources of energy. But it is to be noted that during the year 1999-2000, the majority of installed generating capacity consists of gas turbines (see figure 1) at 46.37 percent. Of the total 4508.29 million kwh generated in the year 1999-2000, gas turbines comprise the biggest at 2840.07 mil. kwh while hydroelectricity is noted at 959.46 mil. kwh only. Most of the gas turbines and combined cycle plants are located in and around Yangon.
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It is to be noted that almost all the installed generating machinery utilize 'clean' source of energy. More hydroelectric power projects will come on steam within five years, according to statements made by officials of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise.
National hydel resources and potential uses
Myanmar is topographically endowed with abundant hydropower resources due to numerous river systems that occurred throughout the country. The World Bank estimates a figure of more than 100,000 MW out of which MEPE has identified 267 sites with a total generating capacity of 39,624 MW. Existing hydro power stations contribute only 320 MW and hence only 1% of the total has been utilized. Available hydro resources in each state and division are calculated as follows:
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Combined cycle plant (above) & workers installing turbines at Thaphanseik hydel project. |
About 27 medium and small scale hydroelectricity stations were constructed after 1988 during the tenure of SLORC and SPDC governments. About 131.14 MW were generated from these projects (1989-2000 ). The noteworthy ones were Sedawgyi in Madaya township, Mandalay Division (25 MW), Baluchaung No.(1) in Loikaw township, Kayah State (28 MW), Zawgyi (1) in Shan State (18 MW) and Zaung Tu in Bago Division (20 MW). Feasibility studies of these schemes were carried out during the time of Socialist government but actual implementation of the projects were made years later. The power sector comprise only 1.074% of the GDP in 1999-2000 calculated at 1985-86 constant prices. Likewise, state sector investment in the electricity projects comprise just a paltry 4.31% of the total budget in 1998-99. The government, during the past 10 years or so, has given priority on the development of agriculture sector and transportation infrastructure within the country.
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Thaphanseik hydro-electric project site |
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Huge economic losses resulted in 1998 when water levels at major hydroelectric dams fell due to the impact of El Nino weather phenomenon. Realizing the effects of power shortage on the society as a whole, the government has launched large scale projects to fulfil the needs of a growing 50 millions plus population. It is envisaged that another 2000MW can be realized from large scale projects in the next five years. One of the mammoth projects that are underway is the Paung Laung Hydel Scheme which is located 14 miles east of Pyinmana in Mandalay Division. The 430 feet high dam will have a storage capacity of 560000 acre-feet of water with a total installed turbine capacity of 280 MW. Power generation is slated to start in December 2003. Paung Laung is known as the biggest infrastructure project ever carried out in the whole of Myanmar. Another bigger project is also underway at Ye Ywa, near Mandalay. Four 195 MW turbines will have the capacity to produce 780MW. Major hydroelectric projects under implementation and planning stages are shown on the map.
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Construction underway on Paunglaung hydro-electric project |
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