Plan underway to provide electricity to 900 villages across nation in 2024

U Maung Win, Deputy Direc tor-General of the Department of Rural Development, announced that steps are now taken to provide electricity to a total of 900 villages nationwide through small-scale home solar systems at a cost of K20 billion in 2024.
The project commenced in the 2016-2017 financial year to bring electricity to villages located more than 10 miles away from the national grid.
“In implementing the project, priority is given to villages that can contribute a specific amount towards the cost. Currently, approximately 10,000 villages (500,000 houses) have been electrified under the World Bank’s programme between the 2016–2017 financial year and the 2021–2022 financial year,” stated U Maung Win. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

MoI plans to lease its solar & electronic factories to private investors

SOLAR, electrical and electronic equipment and other industrial product manufacturing factories currently owned by No 2 Heavy Industries Enterprise under the Ministry of Industry will be leased to private investors, according to the ministry.

The ministry is planning to invite expressions of interest (EoI) from domestic and foreign private investors for a long-term lease/venture of No 24 Heavy Industry (Dagon) in South Dagon Industrial Zone 1, Yangon Region, which manufactures solar, electrical and electronic equipment and other industrial products. The industry is currently being operated by the ministry’s No 2 Heavy Industries Enterprise.

Domestic and foreign companies that have a desire to invest should apply and receive an expression of interest form from the Administration Department of No 2 Heavy Industries Enterprise by submitting relevant documents, valid company registration, and company credentials at Office No 41 in Nay Pyi Taw starting 11 March and submit them by 3 pm on 8 April. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

EVs, e-motorcycles, related accessories arrive at Yangon Port

With the approval of the National-level Steering Committee on Development of Electric Vehicles and Related Accessories, Aiqar eQ3 electric vehicles imported by Myanmar Great Motor Co Ltd, Kanbo electric motorcycles imported by Aung Kan Bo Motorcycle Industrial Co Ltd, and YADEA electric motorcycles and relevant accessories imported by Myanmar Arr Thit Man Motor Co Ltd arrived at Yangon Port. They were allowed to be claimed on 29 February under rules and regulations.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Over 10,000 villages gain electricity access in 8 years via small-scale power projects, home solar systems

According to data released by the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development, 500,000 houses in more than 10,000 villages have gained access to electricity over the past eight financial years, mainly through small-scale power generation projects and home solar panel systems.
Breaking down the figures, between the financial years 2016-17 and 2023-24, approximately 2.5 million people residing in these 500,000 houses across more than 10,000 villages have been provided with electricity through small-scale power generation projects and home solar panel systems.
The areas covered by these projects include regions situated at least 10 miles away from the national grid and designated locations earmarked for electricity supply, particularly in Taninthayi Region, Ayeyawady Region, Shan State, and Rakhine State.
The report indicates that the Department of Rural Development has applied two systems since the 2016-17 financial year to electrify villages under the National Electrification Plan. Villages with fewer houses have been equipped with solar panel systems for home use, while those with more houses and higher electricity demands have been supplied with renewable solar energy.
Furthermore, the department aims to extend nationwide electricity access to all villages by utilizing renewable energy resources by 2030.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Electric vehicles arrive at Yangon Port

China-made Honda ENS1 EVs, Dayun Yuehu S1 (VIP Edition) EVs, BYD D1 EVs, DFSK Seres-5 EVs and Faw Toyota bZ4X EVs, imported with the approval of the Steering Committee on National-Level Development of Electric Vehicles and Related Industries, arrived at Yangon Port. Golden Octopus Co Ltd, Amazing Auto Co Ltd, Earth Renewable Energy Co Ltd, Yaung Ni Oo Automobile Co Ltd and Dongfeng Motor Corporation Ltd imported these electric cars. They were claimed by the importers following the required procedures yesterday. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

K 30 to 200 million cars sell better now in Myanmar auto market

Vehicles priced between K 30 million and 200 million are selling better in the current market, according to U Kyawswa Tun Myint, secretary of the Myanmar Automobile Manufacturers And Distributors Association.

With sales stagnating in early December, the market started to pick up from the second week of December and it has now increased, he explained.

“The current automobile market is quiet with regular sales and purchases – no rise or fall in prices. But, the price of some small cars with higher demand increased by a few percentage. Sales have increased when compared to the early December last year,” he said.

Vehicles priced from K 30-35 million to K 100-150-200 million are selling better and sales of more expensive cars are present, but not frequent, said U Kyawswa Tun Myint.

“It has increased by a certain percentage. Sales didn’t stop in December. There were some sales. Now, the number of sales is increasing more than before. The price of some small cars rose by a few percentage. Not many. If compared to early December, there were more frequent sales,” he said.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Solar panels outsell generators in recent sales surge

SOLAR panels are currently sold more than generators, according to electronic stores. The market has been low at present, but there are more solar panel buyers, said an electronics store owner.
“It has been a couple of months that the market has been low. We normally sell about K30-K40 million a day, sometimes about K20 million. Now the sale has just K8-K10milion recently. There is no sale of generators but solar panels,” he said. People who can afford more buy solar panels that can run air-conditioners. Including batteries that are used with solar panels, other devices have been in high demand in the market, said another electronic store owner.

“At our shop, the battery has also been in high demand. Buyers are from Yangon as well as from other regions and states. The sale of solar panels is larger than the generator sale. Buyers bought small-sized panels previously, but now there are customers for big-sized panels. Our shop is oriented towards the non-Yangon market. Because most of the buyers are from other regions and states,” he said.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Upper Kengtawng Hydropower Plant Project Promises a Brighter Future for Myanmar

THE Construction Task Force No.5 under the Department of Hydropower Implementation has been
constructing the Upper Kengtawng Hydropower Plant near Kengtawng Town in Shan State (South). The power plant may fulfil both the State’s and the country’s electricity demand by harnessing the power of Namteng Creek. The project has an installation capacity of 51 megawatts with three 17-MW power stations. The electricity produced from the power plant will be transmitted through the national grid by connecting the Namsam Main Power Sub-station via the 230-kV power grid. U Toe Lwin, director of the Department of Hydropower Implementation at the Ministry of Electric Power, said: “We’d finished 80.52 per cent of the project by October 2023. We’ll try to finish it by the end of the financial year 2024-25. We’re trying our best since it can supply our country’s much-needed electricity demand.” The department successfully constructed the 54-MW Kengtawng Hydropower Plant on 26 March 2009.

During the construction of the Kengtawng Hydropower Plant back in 2006, the department’s engineers
conducted an initial survey with experts from the Japan-based Kansai Co Inc to build another power plant on the Namteng Creek. Moreover, the engineers and specialists from the Switzerland-based Colenco Power Engineering Co Ltd studied locations for hydro-powered structures, geological features and quality of construction materials for the Upper Kengtawng Hydropower project in 2009. Similarly, the Japanese NEWJEC and the Norwegian Nor- Consult/Multi-Consult cooperated with the department in building access roads and staff accommodations by producing blueprints and conducting detailed measurements. The director added: “We collaborated with specialists from Japan, Switzerland and Norway for the early initiative. We’re working, but our homegrown engineers carry out the technical and construction works.” The dam installed in the Upper Kengtawng project is 1,800 feet long and 230 feet tall. It’szone-type pebble-filled earthen dam, and all the materials, including rocks and sand used in a barrier, underwent rigorous scrutiny to ensure the highest quality.

The main dam was finished in November 2021. To channel water to the power station, the engineers
excavated an underground tunnel with a length of 1,726 feet and a diameter of 26 feet. So far, every
component of the hydropower infrastructure has been built except the high-pressure steel pipeline, power station and sub-station. To deliver the necessary water volume to the power plant, a vertical conduit with a diameter of 82 feet and a length of 151 feet is being constructed in connection with the tunnel. The civil engineering aspects are completed, and the engineers assemble the gate.
The water stored in the main dam will drive the power stations. To manage excess water during the
rainy season, a 460 foot-wide spillway, designed as a Labyrinth Type Weir and the first of its kind in Myanmar, has been constructed. The engineers are currently applying the finishing touches. Only the high-pressure steel pipe connecting the power station and sub-station is left to be done. The department has procured essential electrical equipment through a contract with the China-based Consortium of DEIC & GF. Approximately 50 percent of the equipment has been successfully delivered. The department has meticulously selected projects with minimal environmental and social impacts. The Upper Kengtawng Hydropower Project, with a storage capacity of 104,000 acre-feet, has a low potential for adverse impact.

The project is expected to improve the quality of life for the local population. Resident U Sai Ponnya supported the project: “When the Upper Kengtawng Hydropower Project is done, we’ll have two hydropower plants here. They’ll enable us to use electricity 24 hours a day. Thanks to this, our towns have become much more developed.” Since electric power plays a crucial role in building a developed country, the department strives to finish the project by the end of the financial year 2024-25. Upon completion, the two hydropower plants will collectively generate 267 million kilowatt-hours annually, capable of supplying electricity to about 700,000 people connected to the main grid. The project can serve the residents of Loilem, Namhsan, and Langkho districts and supply surplus electricity to the broader public via the main grid. Undoubtedly, this initiative is poised to benefit the people through illumination.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

38 EV charging stations equipped with 51 chargers in initial stage in Yangon, Yangon-Mandalay Exprassway, Nay Pyi Taw

In a bid to encourage electric vehicles (EVs) use, 38 EV charging stations have installed 51 chargers in the initial stage, said U Zaw Win, Yangon Region Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. He gave a remark at the opening ceremony of the EV charging station affiliated with Terminal 202 petrol station in Mingaladon Township, Yangon Region on 23 November.

To reduce the consumption of imported fuel in the transportation sector and air pollution, the authorities are encouraging the use of EVs as a substitute fuel oil. Under the guidance of the National-level Leading Committee on Development of the Electric Vehicle and Related Businesses, as a part of the initial stage, the installation of 51 EV chargers was done at 38 fuel stations; 24 in Yangon, seven on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway and seven in Nay Pyi Taw, which facilitates the EVs for charging, U Zaw Win elaborated. Myanmar Investment Commission also released a statement on 15 February that electric vehicles and related businesses will be promoted as the priority sector, as per its notification dated 15 February.

In the exercise of the power conferred by Sections 43 and 100 (B) of Myanmar Investment Law, the MIC issued this statement with the approval of the Union government. Enterprises executing installation, manufacturing and restoration services of the EVs, renewable electricity generation, EVs charging service businesses, electric vehicle battery production, EV battery and related service business, electric bus operation services, electric taxi and transportation service businesses and scientific research development business are included in those priority sectors.

During the establishment and ideation phase for incorporation and operations, those businesses can seek permit from the MIC to enjoy tariff relief or zero-customs tariff status and exemption for other taxes levied in the country under Section 77 (A) of the Myanmar Investment Law and income tax exemption under Section 75 (C) of the Myanmar Investment Law for the importations of machinery, essential equipment and accessories, spare parts and construction raw materials that cannot be found in domestic markets. Myanmar has been bringing in electric vehicles (EVs) and EV chargers under the Customs tariff relaxation through seaborne and border trade routes as well as air transport through Yangon International Airport, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar, China sign agreement to purchase electricity from three solar power plant projects

According to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, the signing of an agreement between Myanmar and China for the purchase of electricity for three solar power plant projects was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 7 November.
The statement said that the total capacity of the three solar power plant projects of Kyeeon Kyeewa, Kinda and Sedoktaya in Magway and Mandalay Region, a collaboration between PowerChina Resources Ltd and Myanmar’s Ministry of Electric Power, is 90 megawatts, which will guarantee the development of the regions.
The Union Minister for Electric Power praised the progress of solar energy cooperation projects and discussed the attitudes that will continue to develop China-Myanmar electricity cooperation, providing services for the development of the two countries, and bringing more interest to the people of Myanmar.
They exchanged views on the implementation of the agreement results of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the development of China-Myanmar electricity interconnection, the assistance to solve the “electricity needs” of Myanmar, and the guarantee for the construction of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar