Electrical industry of burma/myanmar

UPPER CASCADES HYDROPOWER PROJECTS IN KACHIN STATE
Appendix 32 provides coverage of six hydropower projects planned for the Maykha and Malikha rivers in northereastern and north-central Kachin State. These include the Chibwe, Wutsok, Pisa, Kaunglanhpu and Yenan projects on the N’maikha and the Lasa project on the Malikha. Detailed information is available in two environmental impact assessment reports, the first prepared for China Power Investment by the Changjiang Survey, Planning Design and Research Institute of the PRC (ELEP043) and the the second by the Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) of Burma Myanmar (ELEP038). Although both these reports focus on envornmental issues related to the plans to deveop the hydropower potential of the Maykha and Malikha, they also provide good basic summaries, technical data, charts and maps for each of the six projects. This article also includes news items related to the six Upper Cascades projects as well information on maps of the area where the projects are being developed.
For information on CPI’s Myitsone hydropower project see the following key articles in the compendium: ‘Agreement signed for Upper Kachin hydel projects’ (Myitson)’ (NLM: 02/01/07), ‘Prime minister updated on the Myitson hydropower project’ (NLM: 25/01/11), ‘China’s Investment in Kachin dams seen as cause of conflict’ (IRROL; 16/06/11), ‘President Thein Sein orders suspension of Myitsone dam project’ (IRROL: 30/09/11), ‘CPI president responds to suspension of Myitsone agreement’ (Xinhua: 03/10/11), and ‘KDNG claims work continuing on CPI projects in Kachin State (IRROL: 05/03/12). For information on the Chipwenge hydropower project which was built to provide the electricity needed for the construction phases of the Myitsone and the Upper Cascades hydropower projects see: ‘Chipwi creek plant to power huge hydel project in Kachin state (Myanmar Times:24/03/08). For information on transmission of the power generated by these projects see Chinese engineers planning grid connection (IRROL: 23/01/10).

Location and general information about the six Upper Cascades hydropower projects:
The Environmental Impact Report prepared by Changjiang Survey Planning Design and Research Institute has three maps showing the location of the six Upper Cascaades hydropower projects at http://www.uachc.com/Liems/esite/content/showDetail.jsp?nid=6854&newtype_no=2247 Map 1 shows the main roads connecting the six projects; Map 2 shows the network of hydrological stations linked to the projects; Map 3 indicates the distribution of earthquake monitoring stations in the Upper Cascades region. Note that the Chinese name for N’maikha (Mayhka) river used in the CSPRDRI report is Enmaynua.
Detailed information on the Chibwe [Chipwi] (cw) dam and power station on the N’maikha river, already under construction, can be found in Part I of the BANCA report, hardcopy pp 45-49; [doc 89-93 of the OBL web document http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/EIAPartI-ocr.pdf]. The location of the Chibwe dam in relation to the other Upper Cascades projects is best seen on the CSPRDRI hydrological state map 2

http://www.uachc.com/Liems/esite/content/showDetail.jsp?nid=6854&newtype_no=2247. It is about 10 miles (17 km) to the north of town of Chibwe on the N’maikha river near the village of Mangtong shown on the T’eng Ch’ung map of the older U.S. army topographical series in grid square 38\09, 10\02. According to the BANCA report the Chibwe dam and hydropower station will be located in Chibwe township at a point with coordinates 25°58'N and 98° 09'E. The area to be flooded by the reservoir will occupy approximately 7935 acres. There are no flood plains in the reservoir area since the valley of the N'maikha at this point is situated in a deep gorge between two mountain ranges. Six small villages each with less than 15 households will likely be inundated by the reservoir. A map showing the long reservoir behind the dam stretching between 25°58' N and 26°10' N can be found on p 46 of BANCA report. Most of the people in the area are of Lauwaw and Lacheik ethnicity. Information on the vegetation, habitats and endangered species as well as photos showing some of the key industries in the area are included on pages 46-49 of the BANCA report. The CSPRDRI report states that the Chibwe hydropower project will consist of a concrete-faced, rock-fill dam set in the main riverbed with its spillway on the left bank of the river and an underground, bank-type, power station and emptying tunnel on the right of the right bank. Technical data provided in Table 2.4-1 on p 24 of the CSPRDRI report indicate that the dam will be 192 metres high, 820 metres long, and that the powerhouse will have an installed capacity of 2800 megawatts with expected generation of an average of 15210 GWh of electricity annually when full production is reached. It is estimated that the construction phase of the dam and power installations be about 8.1 years. Further technical data in four sets of tables available on pp 40-43 of the CSPRDRI report.

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Data summary: Chipwi

Detailed information on the proposed Wusok [Wutsok, Wusauk] (ws) dam and power station on the N’maikha river can be found in Part I of the BANCA report, hardcopy pp 54-57; [doc 98-101 of the OBL web document http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/EIAPartI-ocr.pdf]. The location of the Wusok dam in relation to the other Upper Cascades projects is best seen on the CSPRDRI hydrological state map 2

http://www.uachc.com/Liems/esite/content/showDetail.jsp?nid=6854&newtype_no=2247. The BANCA report pinpoints its location at 26°31' N and 98°18' E but the location shown on the BANCA map on p 54 puts the dam site at about 26°28' N. This would correspond with the CSPRDRI report which says that it will be about 16.4 km north of confluence of the Ngawchangkha with the N’maikha. On the older U.S. army topographical Fu-kung map. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/china/txu-oclc-10552568-ng47-6.jpg this would be just to the north of the village identified as Pashe which is located in grid square 39\0, 10\8. The environmental teams do not appear to have visited this remote site. BANCA indicated that it would be about three days trek from the logging village of Kyihtam (Mankye?) to the north of the township centre of Tsawlaw. The area to be flooded by the reservoir will occupy approximately 1229 acres. There are no flood plains in the reservoir area since the N'maikha flows through a deep gorge at this point and no villages would be flooded out. Most of the people in the area are of Lauwaw and Lacheik ethnicity. Information on the vegetation, habitats and endanger species as well as a photo of logging activities in the area are included on pages 56-57 of the BANCA report. The CSPRDRI report states that the Wusok hydropower project will consist of a concrete-faced, rock-fill dam set in the main riverbed with its spillway on the right bank of the river and a diversion tunnel, bank-type, power station and emptying tunnel on the left bank. Technical data provided in Table 2.4-1 on p 24 of the CSPRDRI report indicate that the dam will be 141 metres high, 434 metres long, and that the powerhouse will have an installed capacity of 1800 megawatts with expected generation of an average of 10360 GWh of electricity annually when full production is reached. It is estimated that the construction phase of the dam and power installations be about 8.5 years. Further technical data in four sets of tables available on pp 40-43 of the CSPRDRI report.

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Data summary Wusauk

Detailed information on the proposed Pisa [Phizaw, Hpizaw] (pz) dam and power station on the N’maikha river can be found in Part I of the BANCA report, hardcopy pp 54-57; [doc 98-101 of the OBL web document http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/EIAPartI-ocr.pdf]. The location of the Pisa dam in relation to the other Upper Cascades projects is best seen on the CSPRDRI hydrological state map 2

http://www.uachc.com/Liems/esite/content/showDetail.jsp?nid=6854&newtype_no=2247. The BANCA report pinpoints its location at 26°44' N and 98°22' E just below the confluence of the Mekharame river with the N’maikha. On the older U.S. army topographical Fu-kung map.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/china/txu-oclc-10552568-ng47-6.jpg this would be close to the village identified as Shikya in grid square 11\1, 39\1. The environmental teams do not appear to have visited this remote site. BANCA indicated that it would be about nine or ten days trek from the logging village of Kyihtam (Mankye?) to the north of the township centre of Tsawlaw. The area to be flooded by the reservoir will occupy approximately 1703 acres. There are no flood plains in the reservoir area since N'maikha flows through a deep gorge at this point and no villages would be flooded out. Most of the people in the area are of Lauwaw and Lacheik ethnicity. Information on the vegetation, habitats and endangered species is included on pages 56 of the BANCA report. The CSPRDRI report states that the Pisa hydropower project will consist of a concrete-faced, rock-fill dam set in the main riverbed with the spillway and diversion tunnel on the left bank of the river and an underground power station on the right bank. Technical data provided in Table 2.4-1 on p 24 of the CSPRDRI report indicate that the dam will be 153 metres high, 312 metres long, and that the powerhouse will have an installed capacity of 2000 megawatts with expected generation of an average of 11080 GWh of electricity annually when full production is reached. It is estimated that the construction phase of the dam and power installations be about 8.5 years. Further technical data in four sets of tables available on pp 40-43 of the CSPRDRI report.

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Data summary Phizaw

Detailed information on the proposed Khaunglanhpu [Kawnglanghpu] (kl) dam and power station on the N’maikha river can be found in Part I of the BANCA report, hardcopy pp 51-54; [doc 95-98 of the OBL web document http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/EIAPartI-ocr.pdf]. The location of the Khaunglanhpu dam in relation to the other Upper Cascades projects is best seen on the CSPRDRI hydrological state map 2

http://www.uachc.com/Liems/esite/content/showDetail.jsp?nid=6854&newtype_no=2247. Both the BANCA and the CSPRDRI reports indicate this dam will be located just below the place where the Aukyang (Achanhti) river enters the N’maikha, with coordinates of 27°02' N and 98°22' E. On the older U.S. army topographical Kung-shan map http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/china/txu-oclc-10552568-ng47-2.jpg, this is close to the village identified as Wuning in grid square 39\0, 11\5. This is quite close to the township centre of Khaunglanghpu which can be reached by logging roads from Putao. The area to be flooded by the reservoir will occupy almost 6000 acres. Immediately to the east the Emawbum mountain ranges rises to heights above 3100 m. There are no flood plains in the reservoir area which spreads up the narrow valleys of both the N’maikha and Aukyang rivers.as shown in the map on p 51 of the BANCA report that indicates that four villages would be flooded out. Most of the people in this area are of Rawan ethnicity. Small farming, hunting and fishing account are the backbone of the economy in this region. Information on the vegetation, habitats and endangered species in this area is included on pages 53 of the BANCA report. The CSPRDRI report states that the Khaunglanhpu hydropower project will consist of a concrete-faced, rock-fill dam set in the main riverbed with the spillway on the left bank of the river and a bank-type power station on the right bank. Technical data provided in Table 2.4-1 on p 24 of the CSPRDRI report indicate that the dam will be 223 metres high, 576 metres long, and that the powerhouse will have an installed capacity of 2700 megawatts with expected generation of an average of 14730 GWh of electricity annually when full production is reached. It is estimated that the construction phase of the dam and power installations be about 8.2 years. Further technical data in four sets of tables available on pp 40-43 of the CSPRDRI report.

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Data summary Khaunglanhpu

Detailed information on the proposed Yenan [Yenam, Renam, Yinan, Yelan] (yn) dam and power station on the N’maikha river can be found in Part I of the BANCA report, hardcopy pp 49-51; [doc 93-95 of the OBL web document http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/EIAPartI-ocr.pdf]. The location of the Yenan dam in relation to the other Upper Cascades projects is best seen on the CSPRDRI hydrological state map 2

http://www.uachc.com/Liems/esite/content/showDetail.jsp?nid=6854&newtype_no=2247. Both the BANCA and the CSPRDRI reports indicate that this dam will be located just below the place where the Taronhka and Nantamai rivers meet to form the N’maikha, with coordinates of 27°42 N and 98°03 E. This is the northernmost of the series of dams planned for the N’maikha and it may now be accessible by logging roads from the Chinese side. On the older U.S. army topographical Kung-shan map

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/china/txu-oclc-10552568-ng47-2.jpg, it looks to be close to the village identified as Solaunga (Aliaung) in grid square 38\6, 12\2. The area to be flooded by the reservoir will occupy 2265 acres. There are no flood plains in the reservoir area which spreads up the narrow valleys of both the Nantamai,Taronkha and N’maikha rivers.as shown in the map on p 49 of the BANCA report that indicates that three villages would be flooded out. Most of the people in this area are of Rawan, Lisu and Taron ethnicity. Small farming, hunting and fishing account are the backbone of the economy in this region. Information on the vegetation, habitats and endangered species in this area is included on pages 50-51 of the BANCA report. The CSPRDRI report states that the Yenan hydropower project will consist of a concrete-faced, rock-fill dam set in the main riverbed with the spillway on the left bank of the riverbed and a bank-type, power station on the right bank. Technical data provided in Table 2.4-1 on p 24 of the CSPRDRI report indicate that the dam will be 159 metres high, 500 metres long, and that the powerhouse will have an installed capacity of 1200 megawatts with expected generation of an average of 6650 GWh of electricity annually when full production is reached. It is estimated that the construction phase of the dam and power installations be about 7.8 years. Further technical data in four sets of tables available on pp 40-43 of the CSPRDRI report.

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Data summary: Yinan

Detailed information on the proposed Laiza [Lasa, Laza Laikzar] (Laza) dam and power station on the Malikha river can be found in Part I of the BANCA report, hardcopy pp 42-45; [pp 86 -89 of the OBL web document http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/EIAPartI-ocr.pdf]. The location of the Laiza dam in relation to the other Upper Cascades projects is best seen on the CSPRDRI hydrological state map 2

http://www.uachc.com/Liems/esite/content/showDetail.jsp?nid=6854&newtype_no=2247. It can also be found to the east of the village of Laza, just below the point where the Hrang Hka creek is shown as entering the Mali Hka. in grid square 38\5, 10\8 on the Fu Kung map of the older US army topographical series

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/china/txu-oclc-10552568-ng47-6.jpg. According to the BANCA report the Laiza dam and hydropower station will be located in Sumprabum township at 26°28'N and 97°49'E, approximately 144 km north of the confluence at Myitsone. The area to be flooded will cover 24554 hectares in a series of four pools shown on the map in BANCA report. About a dozen villages, the largest of which has a population of 1200, would be flooded out if this project goes ahead. The people in the area are mainly of Jingphaw ethnicity. The BANCA report also includes information on the vegetation, habitats and endangered species in the area on pp 43-44, as well as an illustrated report on hydraulic gold mining which has taken place over the last dozen years or so along the Malikha. The CSPRDRI report states that the Laiza hydropower project will consist of a concrete-faced, rock-fill dam set in the main riverbed with its spillway on the right bank of the river and a bank-type power station located on the left bank. Technical data provided in Table 2.4-1 on p 24 of the CSPRDRI report indicate that the dam will be 128 metres high, 481 metres long, and that the powerhouse will have an installed capacity of 1900 megawatts with expected generation of an average of 10440 GWh of electricity annually when full production is reached. It is estimated that the construction phase of the dam and power installations be about 8.5 years. Further technical data in four sets of tables available on pp 40-43 of the CSPRDRI report.

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Data summary Laikzar

River rafters report
Description of the N’mai Kha (Maykha) river valley http://www.ultimatedescents.com/Mayhka.htm

http://www.intraftfed.com/mediamarketing/files/RAW2007June.pdf
In February and March of 2003 a team of kayakers and rafters were invited to explore the rivers of Kachin State. These rivers are fed by the eastern-most Himalayan peaks high up near the isolated border between Myanmar, India and Tibet. The team was searching for potential commercial river trips and completed the first descent of the Mayhka (N’maihka) river and tributaries by raft and kayak. In the process we discovered what is probably the most challenging wilderness rafting trip on the planet. This is the Mayhka (N’mai Hka), basically the "Everest of Rivers", one of the planet's great unexplored rivers. The expedition is extreme: the water is challenging and powerful and the area is totally isolated.
Mayhka [N'mai Hka] means ‘mother river’, but the local Rawang people call it the ‘impossible river’, because the terrain is so steep and convoluted that it is difficult to farm and damn hard to get anywhere. The easier rapids on the Mayhka hold Zambezi style whitewater with some premiere play waves and holes. The harder rapids are not unlike the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, Biblical in size and closely resembling a toilet flushing into an industrial rototiller. The only consolation is that everything finishes in a pool, so you can actually get out amongst it all and run meaty lines. Sheer granite walls are polished 60 feet above the river indicating the height of the monsoon flows and it is intimidating to even consider being here when the river is running high. Our trips will run the river in late winter to take advantage of the lowest water flows possible and settled weather.
Starting point for the trip on the Maykha is Bang Nam Dhim (aka in English as Pannadin or Panandin). It is reached from road's end at Ratbo by a four day trek through dense sub-tropical forest where lush vines and creepers entwine sculptured trees in a living paradise of old-growth climax forest. Legendary British botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward passed through this area in the 1920's and described it as one of the most beautiful places he had ever been. On the last day, leaving Gawle village behind, we climb steeply all day to the pass that separates the Malikha watershed from the Mayhka river valley. Upon cresting the top of the hill we catch our first glimpse of the Mayhka river snaking below. After an extremely steep descent through thick forest we reach Bhang Nam Dhim where the Nam Tamai, the main source of the Maykha, flows beneath a suspension bridge of bamboo and rattan that crosses to the village.
Thirty kilometers above Bhang Nam Dhim is the small Rawang village of Tazungdam where the Seinhkuwang and Adungwang join forces to become the Nam Tamai. Here, at its starting point the river flows at at 1500 cubic feet per second (cfs) of champagne blue. The first rapids are a maze of boulders ending in steep chutes, not too powerful just real quality whitewater and extremely fun. The villagers are amazed at the kayaker’s skills and run down the river trying to see every move, cheering and clapping every time they surface from a drop. The rest of the day is liquid bliss; cataracts mile after mile with lush jungle clinging precariously to canyon walls and surreal mountains suspended high above the forested ridges. In our descent back down to Bang Nam Dhim we cover in seven hours what had taken four days to trek. It rains all day and the main tributaries coming in are running really high, huge boulders tumbling along the river bottom sound like giant billiard balls colliding and rain is bouncing off the river in globes of water. Every valley brings in a powerful stream and there are countless valleys. By late afternoon when we arrive again at Bhang Nam Dhim, the river is flowing at about 4,000 cfs.
Eighteen km below Bhang Nam Dhim the Tamai collects first the Dabluwang, then the Taronwang (Dulong) which rises in Tibet. Here the Tamai officially becomes the Mayhka (N’maihka), flowing brown at about 12,000 cfs -- roughly the volume of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. From the Taron junction to the mouth of the Chipwi Nge near Laukhaung, a distance of a little over 160 km, the Mayhka is joined by four other large rivers all flowing down from the snow-capped Gaoligong range along the Yunnan – Kachin border. Near Khaunglanhpu (27°04' N, 98°21' E), the Aukyang enters, then the Mekh near Shikya (26°44' N, 98° 24' E), the Lakin just west of Welatam (26°37' N, 98°22' E), the Ngaw Chang Hka near Wutsok (26°19' N, 98°16' E) and the Chipwi Nge at Chipwi (25°53' N, 98°08' E); By the time we get to Lauhkang the river is flowing an extremely powerful 30,000 cfs.
The Mayhka River gorge is one of the most heavily forested and pristine areas in the world. Wildlife is abundant, as the steep canyon walls make access impossible in many parts except by the river. After Bang Nam Dhim, the only village of any size along the upper part of the Maykha is Ridam, a Rawang tribal village. Staying overnight at Ridam is a highlight of the trip and an amazing chance to experience a totally different way of life. Far away from heavily trodden trails and towns, the people along the Mayhka are remarkably friendly and curious. In the upper stretches of the river the campsites are few and far between while camping on the lower Mayhka is awesome. The massive floods of the monsoon deposit huge tracks of pure white sand along the river that are ideal to camp on. If you're into fishing, the Mayhka offers the best fishing in Myanmar. Some of the masheer and catfish get big enough to scare you.
When initially researching the river from maps we estimated that we had about 85 miles between Bhang Nam Dim and Lauhkang with an average gradient of 12 ft/mile, and 60 miles at 25 ft/mile. With these gradients we had been concerned that there wouldn't be too many extreme rapids but the river consistently manages to store gradient for one to two miles then let it all go at once with impressive results. Frequent scouting is mandatory, and portaging very difficult due to the constricted river channel and conglomeration of house sized boulders. It is only in the last few days above Laungkhang that the river eases and spreads, and it is possible to paddle without so much scouting. After days of continuous hard rapids It's a novelty to be able to see the bottom of a rapid from the top. There are still huge hydraulics but also space to move around. On the last day as we drifted downstream in 2003, we came across Chinese loggers blasting a road and trucking all the timber out, it is a shocking reintroduction to civilization. This area is on the cusp of change as roads are pushed upstream. The Mayhka valley has gold, gems and pristine forests and there are Chinese businessmen filtering across the border for these very reasons. Environmentally, the clock is ticking for one of the last true wilderness areas left in Southeast Asia. From our last campsite nestled in the rock formations of the lower canyon we drift down to Lauhkang, the first town we've seen for 15 days. Lauhkang isn't much of a town, but even so it's hard to get re-accustomed to the sounds of civilization. Even a little town like Lauhkang serves to remind us just how quiet the last 15 days have been. Having successfully completed the first commercial raft descent of the Mayhka River we should all be ready for a celebration.
The impact of logging by Chinese and Kachin companies in the area of east of the N’mai Hka along the western slopes of Gaoligang range is dealt with in Global Witness publication, A Conflict of Interests, issued in October 2005, several years before China Power Investment Corp went public with its proposal to develop the hydropower potential of the northern Kachin rivers. The five pages of the report dealing with the so-called ‘N’Mai Hku Project’ (Mayhka Headwaters project) are a must-read for anyone interested in this little known region of Burma/Myanmar (pp 104-8). The project it describes is a “combined logging and mining operation” that would exploit the exceptionally rich untapped gold, lead, zinc and silver resources of the area, as well extracting up to 150,000 cubic metres of hard and coniferous wood annually for 15 years from an area virtually unlogged before. A road network into the area from the Chinese side of the border is described as being rapidly developed . Two maps and a number of photos accompany the text. A follow-up report by Global Witness, A Choice for China, outlines further developments in the headwaters region up to 2005. (pp 66-7). Contrary to the suggestion presented in the account of the rafting group of a great empty land around them as they plunged down the N’maihka, the logging watchdog group quotes a survey that found that there are 16 large villages and 49 smallers ones of Lisu and Rawang groups in the headwaters area. These villages would be the smaller rivers and streams away from the main river itself.

http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/113/en/a_conflict_of_interest_english

http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/492/en/a_choice_for_china_ending_the_destruction_of_burma