Electrical industry of burma/myanmar

Additional references
See above: Rural reps question Minister over grid connections (NLM: 25/08/11)

See below: ‘MoU signed on Mawlaik and Kalewa power projects’ (NLM: 29/05/10)

‘One third of the Myittha dam embankment finished (NLM: 11/12/08)

‘Bontalar hydropower station in Matupi visited’ (NLM: 23/11/08)

‘Speedy completion of Manipura dam urged’ (NLM: 22/12/04)

‘Manufacture of small hydro turbines in Myanmar’ (JICA: Sept 2003)

‘Rural power services in Chin State’ (Appendix 10)

Grid Map 7: Long-term plan for transmission system in mid-2008
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ARAKAN MEMBERS RAISE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT

NLM, 15/03/11. Edited. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/NLM2011-03-15.pdf

At the regular session of the Pyithu Hluttaw on 14/03/11, U Ye Tun from Thandwe Constituency asked whether there was a plan to equalize the charges made for electricity in Rakhine State with other parts of the country. He said in Thandwe users are charged from 450 to 1000 kyats for a kWh and that they also have to pay for the electricity used by government departments.
EPM-2 Khin Maung Myint responded that Rakhine State still does not get electricity from the national grids. He said the government uses 355,080 gallons of diesel a year to supply electricity through 100 generators in 28 townships of the state. In fiscal 2010-11, there were expenditures of K 1776.72 million for the salaries of departamental staff and for generators, pylons, power stations, and maintenance of the system. In fact, the government showed a loss of K 453.6 million in supplying electricity to the townships in Rakhine State including the 13 townships that get electricity for two hours a day. He said there was no township in Rakhine State where electricity users are charged K 1000; that, overall, a charge of K 400 a unit was a reasonable rate, but if the fuel price went up, the charge rate would also have to go up; that only when the hydropower projects in the state were completed, could the rates be lowered to K 25 a unit for households and K 50 for enterprises. He said further that the profit the ministry makes from electric power supply is very low; and that the government is carrying out non-profit projects in the national interests.
The Pyithu Hluttaw speaker said, however, that U Ye Tun’s question carried a fact that Rakhine State has to share charges for electricity used at the departmental rate by governmental departments, and that responsible persons should review that point.
U Khin Maung Myint also replied to a question from U Aung Thein of Ywangan constituency as to whether or not there is a plan to distribute power from the Myogyi dam station to the Danu region. The minister said electricity from Myogyi would be evacuated to the Taungtawgwin and Ingon main power stations and connected to the national power grids through these stations. For the present, he said, electric power is being supplied to Pindaya and Ywangan through the national power grid; ten transformers supply 800 KW of electric power to six villages in the environs of Pindaya, while two transformers in Ywangan distribute 300 KW of electric power to two villages near Ywangan, so the Danu region is already using electricity from the national power grid.
In answer to another question from Representative Aung Thein as to whether whether there was a plan to supply more electricity from the Kinda dam station for the conservation and effective management of the watershed area of Ywangan, the minister said that Ywangan is already being supplied electricity through a 12-mile long, 11-KV power line from Kinda. Depending on the demand for water for agricultural irrigation, the Kinda power station generates for eight hours a day. Arrangements are being made to increase the power supply for both Ywangan and Pindaya via the Aungban power station and there would be no need for another power line from Kinda.
Additional references
See above: ‘Shwe gas will electrify Rakhine State: Minister’ (MT: 23/01/12)

‘Local suppliers using new rate structure for electricity charges’ (Myanmar Times:12/09/11)

See below: ‘Rice husks used to power urban wards’ (Myanmar Times: 23/08/10)

‘Sai Tin hydropower project plans announced’ (NLM: 28/01/09)

‘Mini-hydro facilities slated for dams in Kyauktaw township’ (NLM: 26/11/08)

'Bangladesh, Myanmar to sign hydropower deal' (Xinhua: 15/07/07)

‘Electricity rates raised, subsidies for civil servants dropped’ (AP: 15/05/06)

'Thahtay creek dam and other hydropower projects in Arakan' (NLM: 20/04/06)

‘Sittway power company plagued by diesel deficit’ (Narinjara News, 25/03/03)
Narinjara, 31/08/11. Edited and condensed. http://www.bnionline.net/news/narinjara/11534-authorities-take-revenge-on-mrauk-u-residents-by-cutting-power-supply.html

An elder from MraukU, the ancient capital of Arakan, said that the power supply in the town had been cut for many hours a day and for whole 24-hour periods on three alternative days. “We used to get power from 8 am to 3 pm during the day and from 7 to 12 in the evening." In the past month, however, the electric power service had been reduced to just three hours a day from 7 to 10 in the evenings. She said the government had turned over the local power supply supply system to the Taw Win Htoo Linn Company in June 2011, citing the need to increase the power supply in the town. “When we complained to the company [about the cut in service], the staff told us that they had to reduce the power supply as their company had suffered from [financial] losses. But there is no reason their company would suffer from losses because they have been collecting K 500 for each unit of electricity and they have also received the necessary oil for power generation at the official rate from the government”, he said. The elder blamed the cut in service on the protests townspeople had raised over a government plan to remove ancient artefacts from MraukU to Nay Pyi Taw. He said a local committee had been formed to monitor the regularity of electric lights in the town. The committee has already warned the Taw Win Htoo Linn that the contract for the supply of power to the town would be tendered to another other company if it was not able to supply electricity on a regular basis to the town. However, the company has replied the matter is not subject to local control.

NLM, 01/08/11. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/NLM2011-08-01.pdf

EPM-1 Khin Maung Soe inspects the office of Rakhine State Electrical Engineer in Sittway on 29/07/11. July. The Rhakine State engineer reports on the supply of electric power throughout the state, unit losses, safety measures and personnel affairs. Managing Director of the Electricity Supply Enterprise Myint Aung reports on programmes for electric power in the state and ongoing power supply tasks. The minister calls for reinforcement of rules and regulations, avoiding bribery and corruption, and the discharging of duties in an effective way. On arrival at the diesel-fired power plant in Sittway Township, the minister is briefed by the state engineer on the use of four generators to supply electricity.

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Narinjara, 04/07/11. Edited and condensed. http://www.narinjara.com/details.asp?id=3009

Consumers of electricity in Mrauk U in Arakan State report that power supply in the town has recently been privatized. "A private company, Taw Win Htoo Linn, is now supplying electricity in our town and the company is doing so for more hours than before, but the consumers still have to face the burden of cost for using electricity because there is no reduction in cost," said a local leader from the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party in Mrauk U. He said that the company has been collecting K 450 per unit of electricity, the same rate the government had charged before. ``Along with the town elders, we have requested the chief minister of our state to reduce the electricity costs, and he has promised to reduce the cost to K 400, but we are still paying K 450 per unit," he said. Electricity is now available twice a day from 6 am to 3 pm and again in the evening from 6 pm to 11 pm. A youth said the company has begun cutting power to homes that do not pay the scheduled charges.

Residents of Sittwe said electricity in the state capital is now being supplied from 6 pm to midnight every day by another private company known as Phoe Thee Cho, at similar rates, and that the company is now preparing to supply electricity to the town for 24 hours a day. A town elder said a meeting attended by Arakan Chief Minister U Hla Maung Tin was held on 11 June at the hall of the State Administration Office in Sittwe concerning the 24-hour power supply in the town. He said the Phoe Thee Cho Company, which uses diesel generators for power supply, was awarded the tender to provide 24-hour power to the town as people showed a dislike for the Taw Win Htoo Linn Co that uses chaff-powered generators. The cost of electricity is K 450 per unit for consumers who do not use more than 15 units per month, and K 550 per unit for those who use more than that. In addition, there is a monthly K 1000 meter-box charge. The consumption charge also rises and falls depending on the price of diesel.
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Narinjara, 30/05/11. Edited and condensed. http://www.narinjara.com/details.asp?id=2974

Authorities in Thandwe are preparing to reduce the cost of electricity from 550 kyat to 400 kyat per unit starting in June, after people clamored against the high prices in their area. A hotel manager said the township administrator announced the reduction during a meeting of hotel owners from Ngapali Beach near Thandwe. Hotels at Ngapali Beach do not receive 24 hours of electricity from the government and have to supplement with electricity from their own generators. "The hotel price is too expensive for visitors because we have to use generators which run on diesel fuel. If the authority decreased the price of electricity, it will benefit everyone, not only hotels but also visitors," said the manager. Electricity is supplied to other residents of Thandwe for only three hours during the day and night, at a rate of 550 kyat per unit, a price 20 times higher than is being charged in Burma proper where people are charged just 28 kyat per unit of electricity. According to sources, in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, the price of electricity is 400 kyat per unit, while in the second largest city of Kyaukpru, it is 500 kyat per unit. Both cities receive only three hours of electricity every day.

NLM, 20/05/11. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/NLM2011-05-20.pdf

EPM-2 Khin Maung Soe inspects construction of a 5-MVA power plant that will improve the supply of electricity in Yaksawk [Lawksawk] township on 15 May. He also examines the site chosen for to build a 66- KV power station in Pindaya township in the Danu self-administered zone.

NLM, 08/05/11. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/NLM2011-05-08.pdf

On 02 May, Rakhine State Chief Minister Hla Maung Tin meets with members of power supply committees of the state, districts and townships in his office in Sittwe and gives instructions on full supply of power and extension of power supply hours. Afterwards, he inspects the power plant in Danyawady Ward in Sittwe, the private husk-and diesel-fired power plant in Pyidawtha ward, husk-and diesel-fired power plant in Kontan ward and the state electrical engineering office. The following day, Deputy EPM-2 Aung Than Oo of the Union Gov’t meets with village power supply committees, district and township and electrical engineering officers, township electricians and staff of the Rakhine State Electrical Engineering Office in Sittwe and inspects power supply facilities in the city.

Narinjara, 02/05/11. Edited. http://www.bnionline.net/news/narinjara/10669-gap-in-equality-causes-suffering-in-arakan.html

In Arakan State electricity is supplied only to towns and for only three hours a day between 7 and 10pm. Consumers have to pay 500 kyat per kWh, a price 20 times higher than that charged in other parts of Burma. Besides that, in Mraybon residents have to pay for an extra two units every month to make up for the shortfall in the supply of diesel oil for the generators by the government. In total, people have to pay from 10,000 to 25,000 kyat a month for the service. The same applies to other towns in the state where electrical bills are being hiked. Part of the problem is the old, worn-out diesel generators which are being used in Arakan while the rest of the country gets electricity from hydropower dams and gas. Dr. Aye Maung of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, said his party will push for an increased government subsidy for Arakan State residents in both the national and state parliaments.

Myanmar Times, 28/03/11. Excerpt. http://mmtimes.com/2011/news/568/news56814.html

When asked by reporters about the issue of the rate charged for a unit of electricity n Rakhine State that was raised in the recently concluded parliamentary sessions, Dr Aye Maung, chairman of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party replied that some government departments need to provide services even though they are called enterprises which are supposed to make a profit. He said the Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise is a case in point. “If the government can’t [provide electricity at a reasonable price] the enterprise should be privatised. As we are in a union, we should share what we have. It is not good to see that the rates for electricity are so high in Rakhine State [which is off the national power grid] while the rest of the country has the advantage of being connected to the grid.”

NLM, 15/03/11. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/NLM2011-03-15.pdf

At the regular session of the Amotha Hluttaw on 14/03/11, Industry Minister-1 Minister Aung Thaung replied to a question from U Maung Aye Tun of Rakhine Constituency-9 as to whether or not there was a plan to build a pulp factory in Buthidaung township where there is an abundance of bamboo growing naturally. U Aung Thaung said that Saidin bamboo forest in Buthidaung and Ponnagyun regions can be used to produce raw materials for a factory with a production capacity from 200 to 500 tons of pulp a day. But the establishment of a pulp factory requires chemical and chlorine dioxide plants, a generator and boiler plant, a cooking and digesting plant, a pulp sheet making plant and a recovery plant. Inputs to the plants are from about 0.3 to 0.75 million tons of bamboo per year, from 20 to 50 megawatts of electricity, from 30,000 to 75,000 tons of limestone, from 90,000 to 300,000 tons of salt and from 10 to 25 million gallons of water a day. Only if these inputs are fulfilled can the pulp factory be built. Lack of sufficient electricity supply at the present time, capital and technical problems hindered to build the factory. Although five field trips were made with the participation of foreign companies, progress could not be made due to electricity supply, energy and other problems. Nevertheless, there were future prospects for the energy sector in Rakhine State and good prospects for the establishment of a pulp factory by local organizations and foreign investors.

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GRID SUPPLY CONTRACTS SIGNED WITH ELECTRICAL SERVICE FIRMS

NLM, 05/03/11. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/NLM2011-03-05.pdf

A contract signing ceremony between Myanma Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE) and eight companies -- Central China Power Grid International Economic & Trade Co Ltd, Alliance Global Technologies Pte Ltd, United National Oil & Gas Pte Ltd, Supplier Global Pte Ltd, Gunkul Engineering Public Co Ltd, Barons Machinery & Engineering Pte Ltd, Global Quality & Management Pte Ltd and Royal GK Pte Ltd -- took place at the Ministry of Electric Power No 2 in Nay Pyi Taw on 03/03/11.
Present on the occasion were EPM-2 Khin Maung Myint, Attorney-General Aye Maung, Deputy EPM-1 Myo Myint, Deputy EPM-2 Win Myint, Deputy Minister Ind-2 Khin Maung Kyaw, departmental heads and others.
Minister U Khin Maung Myint delivered an address. On behalf of the companies, Managing Director Thanda Nay Win of Global Quality & Management Pte Ltd, spoke words of thanks.
MEPE MD Aung Than Oo and the managing directors of the companies signed contracts related to the purchase of accessories for the power grids at the Minhla power station, the Thabyewa (Meiktila) - Nay Pyi Taw - Taungoo grid, the Shwetaung- Myaungdaga grid, the construction of a power station at Minhla, and extensions to the Thabyewa, Nay Pyi Taw, Taungoo, Hlawga, Thazi, and Tagondaing power stations.
Compiler’s note: Several of the ‘Pte’ firms listed in the news items above and below are trading companies based in Singapore with a representative office in Myanmar. See, for example, the websites of Alliance Global Technologies Pte Ltd: http://www.alliancegt-sg.com/profile.html and Royal GK Pte Ltd. http://www.alibaba.com/member/sg101618290/aboutus.html
Barons Machinery & Engineering appears to have been active in drilling work on bridge and power line construction projects in Myanmar for a number of years.

http://www.exportersindia.com/company/369292/barons-machinery-engineering-pte-ltd/ Other companies involved in work on transmission projects include Parami, Se Paing and DEL. See the article ELIU016 below. The Parami Co involved in the construction of the Kamanat – Myaungdaga transmission line could be the Parami Energy Co http://www.bmp.osea-asia.com/index.php5?id=203062&Action=showCompany which has engineering experience in drilling, casing and cement work on energy projects. Further information is not available about Se Paing and DEL.
Central China Power Grid International Economic & Trade Co Ltd (CCPGI) is the foreign trading arm of Central China Power Grid Co Ltd (CCPG), which was set up in 2003 to manage state-owned transmission and power generation facilities in six provinces in central China. Amid plans for the re-organization yet again of state power companies in the PRC, the website of CCPG http://intl.ccpg.com.cn/ appears to have vanished from the cyber waves. References to other contracts siged between MEPE and CCPGI on equipment for transmission line projects are included below.
Chint Electric describes itself as “the leading player among the low-voltage electrical and power transmission and distribution industries in China”. It makes and sells transformers, insulators, circuit breakers, capacitors, reactors, switchgears, surge arresters, and automation equipment. http://chint.en.ec21.com/
For electrical projects carried out in Myanmar by Gunkul Engineering and its subsidiary GK Power, see http://www.gkmyanmar.com/ and the article ELDS 016 below. A Yangon company active in installing sub-stations, O/H lines, control panels, cable trunking, etc, but not mentioned in these news items, is Aung Zabu Tun Industrial Ltd. Much of this company’s work is done on contract to industrial and construction firms. www.aungzabutun-indltd.com For another company heavily involved in the installation of sub-stations, O/H lines, transformers, etc, in industrial, commercial and housing projects, see the website of Yoma Engineering Services. http://www.yomaengineering.com/services.html A recent check showed almost 70 projects listed. SuperMega Engineers Group and Trading Co Ltd is a Yangon company that specializes in electrical instrumentation and electrical and mechanical work in the construction of power plants, substations, transmission lines, etc. http://www.super-mega.com/index.htm. IGE Pte Ltd is a Myanmar trading company that has a variety of connections to the electrical industry in Myanmar. http://www.ecvv.com/company/kyitunwin/profile.html. Glover Electrical Industries has a list of projects it has carried out for MEPE and private industrial and commercial firms on its website: http://www.glovermyanmar.com/profile.htm . Myanmar Iwatani, a large trading company, has a department that specializes in the supply and installation high voltage equipment including 33-KV substations, distribution and transmission lines

http://www.myanmariwatani.net.mm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=7

Map reference

For a map showing the location of most of the power stations and grids referred to in the grid contract news items see Slide 22 of the Country Report on Power Development Plans and Transmission Interconnection Projects presented by the Myanmar delegation at an ADB conference in Novemeber, 2008.

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/Mekong/Proceedings/FG7-RPTCC7-Annex3.4-Myanmar-Presentation.pdf See, also, the discussion on the signficance of the grids and power stations mentioned in these news items in the section on Grid Map 6 below.
Additional references
NLM, 17/02/11. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/NLM2011-02-17.pdf

Myanma Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE) signed contracts with five private companies for the purchase of electrical equipment for power stations at the Ministry of Electric Power No 2 in Nay Pyi Taw on 14/02/11. The contracts were signed with Barons Machinery & Engineering Pte Ltd, Sino Hydro Corporation Ltd, Gunkul Engineering Public Co Ltd, United National Oil & Gas Pte Ltd, and Chint Electric Co Ltd. MD Ei Phyusin Htay of Barons spoke words of thanks on behalf of the companies. MD Aung Than Oo of MEPE and executive directors of the companies signed the contracts for purchase of electrical equipment for the 230-KV power grid (in/ out) for the Sittoung, Thaphanseik and Ngapyawdaing power stations.

NLM, 05/12/10. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs09/NLM2010-12-05.pdf

Contracts for the purchase of [a] power transformer, a capacitor bank and substation materials for the 230-kV Thaton main power station and the Mawlamyine main power station were signed between MEPE and Chint Electric Co Ltd, Gunkul Engineering Co Ltd and Central China Power Grid International Economic & Trade Co Ltd at the EPM-2 building in Nay Pyi on 02/12/10. Dr Aung Soe Win of Chint Electric expressed thanks on behalf of the companies.

NLM, 24/12/09. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs08/NLM2009-12-24.pdf

EPM-2 Khin Maung Myint received Chairman Li Chao of Central China Power Grid International Economic & Trade Co on 21/12/09. They discussed matters related to cooperation between the ministry and CCPGI.

NLM, 13/06/07. http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs2/NLM2007-06-13.pdf

On 6 June, EPM-2 Khin Maung Myint met Chaiman [ ] of Central China Power Grid (CCPG) Co, Vice-Chair of CCPG Li Haiping and Director of CCPG Pusang at the Grand Hotel in Beijing. The minister thanked the company for supplying the necessary equipment to be installed along the Hlinethaya-Myaungdaka-Athoke power line and sub-power station. The minister and company officials discussed the supply of equipment for [other projects of the] power grid.

NLM, 04/01/07. http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs2/NLM2007-01-04.pdf

Central China Power Grid International Economic & Trade Co Ltd (CCPGI) and MEPE signed a contract on the purchase of electrical appliances for 230-KV power lines between Belin [and] Monywa, Meiktila and Taungdwingyi and for the sub-power stations at Shweli-1, Mongsan and Shwesaryan on 30/12/06. President Xie Ming Liang of CCPGI extended greetings. MD San Oo signed the contract for MEPE and GM Bai Shumming for CCPGI.

NLM, 25/03/04. http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs/NLM2004-03-25.pdf

Myanmar and the PRC signed a number of agreements today at the Zeyathiri Beikman in Yangon on 24/03/04 in the presence of PM Khin Nyunt and the Vice Premier of the State Council of the PRC Madam Wu Yi. . . . MD San Oo of MEPE and Vice-President Zheng Baosen of the State Grid Corp of China signed a commercial contract on the supply of 230-kV transmission lines and sub-station for the Myaungtaka-Hlinethaya-Yekyi project.

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