Myanmar: Only high-tech firms for hydro, coal power

Myanmar: Only high-tech firms for hydro, coal power

Only companies and countries with access to the latest technologies and
technologies which minimise environmental impact will be considered to take
part in hydro and coal power projects in Myanmar, a senior official from the
Ministry of Electricity and Energy told The Myanmar Times.

Renewable energy such as solar and wind power depends on the climate and
weather. Photo - ShutterstockRenewable energy such as solar and wind power
depends on the climate and weather. Photo - Shutterstock

"For electricity generation sources, we are planning to consider only the
companies and countries with the most advanced technologies and technologies
with the least environmental impacts, for hydro and coal power," said the
senior official who requested not to be named since he is not authorised to
speak about the issue.

"We should only choose the best technology for the country when the projects
affect the environment and have social implications. We shouldn't go for
cheaper alternatives which have poorer standards," he said.

The source said the ministry will balance the use of hydro, coal and natural
gas power plants in order to minimise adverse environmental effects and, at
the same, get the best price for power generation in order not to burden the
public.

Concerning coal, Japanese technology is better than China's; however,
technologies in the UK, the US, Germany and Norway are better than Japan's,
the official said.

Under the previous government, coal power projects in several areas - 600MW
plant in Kengtung, 500MW and 1800MW in Tanintharyi, 540MW in Ngayokekaung
and more - were proposed but actual power production did not meet the
expectations.

All the proposals, except the Thanlyin-Kyauktan project, do not have a
national grid system and a special transmission line needs to be built. As
this is costly, the government has incurred annual losses. Furthermore, the
government will not implement projects which will have potentially severe
social impacts, that official added.

"When submitting the proposal, some said they would do their best and they
were the best. But cheap and easily bargained things will not be good for
social and environmental conditions of Myanmar," the source said.

"A certain, reasonable price has to be given. For sustainability,
environmental and socio-economic benefits and long-term maintenance, we
would like to choose only high-tech nations and high-tech firms," he noted.

In many projects under the previous government, favour was given to the
countries which enjoyed close relations with Myanmar.

Upcoming coal power projects will be implemented by minimising impacts, in
line with rules and regulations set by the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Forestry. Implementation can go ahead only after submitting a request to
Hluttaw and having the request approved, another director from the Ministry
of Electricity and Energy said.

Low-cost energy sources in the world are mainly hydropower and coal power.
Renewable energy such as solar and wind power depends on the climate and
weather. Thus, they cannot be generate 24 hours of power consistently and
are not reliable.

"Rich countries such as the US, Japan and the UK have used coal before.

"In the age of globalisation, they are saying that coal should not be used
because they have found other sources. But Myanmar is a poor country and our
economic conditions compel us to use coal power.

"We should use coals only with minimal environmental impacts," he further
explained.

"Politicians, businessmen and the public should not ignore it when thinking
about nation's development.

"Words alone cannot produce electricity. When considering big hydro power
projects, it is said there are environmental impacts. Gas is sold to foreign
countries. If gas is value-added, it can make more money," the official
said.

"The country is not yet developed. If people are incited to demonstrate
without understanding the situations, the country will never be economically
developed," he added.

The relevant ministry is talking about coal power generation and it plans to
use coal power for up to 30 percent of the country's energy by 2030.

National League for Democracy Central Executive COmmittee member U Win Htein
also said that the government has been urged to construct coal power plants
without being afraid of protests and those protesters would be satisfied if
they have access to electricity.

During the NLD's central committee meeting last month, he also said that
coal power is more effective than other sources in Tanintharyi, Mon and
Karen.

Thirty-three local civil society organisations with the support from 114
civic organisations across the nation have recently released a statement
protesting against a 1200MW TTCL coal power plant project in Kayin State.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between the state government
and the company which will implement Japanese clean-coal technology, was
made public a few months ago.

"There is no transparency regarding how the MoU was signed - not a word
about the negative impacts.

"The firm sent a public message that they guaranteed 100pc for not having
any impacts. It is impossible. I suppose they are lying," Kayin State
Committee member of Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability
(MATA) U Saw Mi Pway Do said.

Proposals submitted to the ministry include one project in Dawei by a Thai
company, and other projects in Mon State, Kayin State and Ayeyarwady Region.

Projects concerning 30MW or below can be implemented with the approval and
under the supervision of regional and state governments. For those
concerning more than 30MW, the Ministry will have to supervise. Right now,
there are no projects involving more than 30MW and the policy is still under
review, a director from the ministry said.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/26623-only-high-tech-firms-for-hyd
ro-coal-power.html

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com