The government is upgrading electricity generation, transmission and distribution in Yangon Region, Daw Nilar Kyaw, minister of Electricity, Industry, Transport and Communication, told a news conference to mark the first anniversary of the government.
She said that during fiscal 2016-17, the Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation (YESC) installed new cables in a pilot project in Hlaing, Dala, Tarmwe and Hlaing Tharyar townships.
‘’Based on the results of the project, we will continue with other townships, depending on funding. We can produce more electricity but there are weaknesses in the transmission network because some cables are too old and the power goes off when it is windy or rains.
“We will implement this upgrade systematically to give the public a stable electricity supply and better service,” Daw Nilar Kyaw said.
She said most of the generators are overloaded so the government will upgrade them and add new ones to the national grid.
‘’Of Yangon’s 45 townships, 33 are in municipal areas and 12, including Ko Ko Island, are outside municipal areas.
“More than 100 villages in areas outside municipal boundaries do not have electricity. We plan to provide electricity to these villages,” she said.
Under the National Electrification Plan (NEP), the government will provide support to villages that are within two miles of the national grid in the first phase.
In the second phase, the target is within two to five miles of the national grid, and in phase three, electricity will be supplied to villages that are more than five miles from the national grid.
‘’We are arranging to provide electricity to villages that are not included in the NEP and are discussing the matter with the YESC,” she said.
Myanmar produces nearly 3000 megawatts of electricity daily and Yangon consumes more than half.
The government hopes to build two generators that can produce 300 megawatts.
‘’Garment factories are developing but we can’t supply enough electricity. According to electrical experts, the current four generators can produce nearly 1000 megawatts.
Source: The Myanmar Times
