Electrical industry of burma/myanmar

KENGTAWNG HYDROPOWER PLANT NEARLY READY TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY

Aung Kyi and Aung Shin, Myanmar Times, 29/0908. http://mmtimes.com/no438/n009.htm

More electricity supply is just around the corner in Shan State, according to U Win Kyi, the director general of the Hydropower Implementation Department of EPM-1. “The Kengtung [Kengtawng] hydro-electric power plant will be inaugurated by the end of this year,” said U Win Kyi.
Located near Kengtung [Kengtawng] in Mongnai in southern Shan State, the hydropower plant, with a capacity of 54 MW, is expected to produce an average of 472 million kilowatt-hours a year. “We’ve almost finished the Kengtung [Kengtawng] hydropower project, and we are now testing the hydraulic generators and turbines, starting this month,” said U Win Kyi.
Three 18-MW generators have been installed at Kengtung hydropower plant. The generators, transformers and electrical equipment worth US$11.5 million have been purchased from a Chinese consortium made up of China National Electric Equipment Corporation (CNEEC) and Zhejiang Orient Holdings Group Limited. Under the deal with CNEEC, the Hydroelectric Power Department has also bought ironwork valued at US$3.5 million from CNEEC. On completion, the hydropower station will supply electricity to the townships in Loilem and Langkho districts in southern Shan State, and surplus electricity will be sent to other areas through the national grid.
“The inauguration ceremony for the Kengtung hydroelectric power plant will follow the inauguration of the 600-megawatt Shweli hydroelectric power plant by the end of the year,” said U Win Kyi.
The Kengtung hydro-power station will produce electricity generated by a waterfall on the Pawn River and the hydropower plant. It is likely to be followed by an upper Kengtung hydroelectric project which will be built 20 miles farther up the same river. Two 160-megawatt capacity hydraulic generators are slated to be installed there.
Topographic map references: Burma 1:250,000: Series U542, U.S. Army Map: NF 47-14: Mong Pan Kengtawng Falls, 14 mi south of Ton Hoong [20° 45' N, 98° 21' E], grid square reference: 11\9, 28\0

Upper Kengtawng project, 10 mi south-west of Kengtawng [20° 45' N, 98° 17' E], grid sq ref: 12\0, 27\9

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/burma/txu-oclc-6924198-nf47-14.jpg

See also the map at http://www.shanland.org/environment/2003/plant_awaits_power_producer_from.htm

Additional references
Data summary: Upper Kengtawng
Compiler’s note: Information on the Upper Kengtawng hydropower project is included under this key article on the Kengtawng project, since the few references to the Upper Kengtawng project occur in news items related to the Kengtawng falls project.
See above: ‘Official opening of Kentawng falls power station (NLM: 25/03/09)
For a map showing many of the local power stations and the transmission line connecting the Kengtawng generating plant with these stations, see Map 6 in Annex 1 below.
NLM, 12/02/11. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs11/NLM2011-02-12.pdf

The Upper Kengtawng hydropower project in Langkho district will generate 41 megawatts

NLM, 10/04/10. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs08/NLM2010-04-09.pdf

The Hydropower Implementation Dept of EPM-1 and the China National Technical (Import & Export) Corporation (CNTC) of the PRC signed a contract for the supply of generators, turbines and machinery to be used in Upper Keng Tawng Hydropower Project at the meeting hall of the ministry on 08/04/10. D-G Myint Zaw of Hydropower implementation Dept and Executive Vice President of CNTC Sun Weiming signed the contracts and exchanged documents.

NLM, 25/03/09. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2009-03-25.pdf

Construction of the Upper Kengtawng power station that will be capable of generating over 50 megawatts is underway. On completion of the project, there will be sufficient power supply in Shan State and surplus electricity can be used in other regions. [This edition of NLM carries an account and pictures of the opening of Kengtawng Falls hydropower plant. See ‘Official opening of Kengtawng falls hydropower station’ for a description of the ceremony marking the commissioning of the power plant on 21 March 2009.

Hseng Khio Fah, Shan Herald, 06/01/09.

http://www.shanland.org/environment/2009/kengtawng-hydro-power-plant-opened-without-informing-locals

Authorities in Shan State South have opened the Kengtawng hydropower plant without informing the local people, according to sources. The opening ceremony was presided over by Eastern Regional Commander Ya Pyae on 30 December 2008 according to a local villager who wishes to remain anonymous. However, a week before the ceremony, each household in every village was told to pay K400,000 (US$333) to the electricity department to cover meter box taxes and the costs of wiring. Villagers had not yet received electricity even though construction work was completed long ago, said one villager. "They just started providing electricity to us on the day of the opening ceremony. We have never seen any light around our village before today. We are not still sure whether this will last forever or just a short time," he said.

NLM, 05/11/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs5/NLM2008-11-05.pdf

During a visit to the Kengtawng hydropower project on 02/11/08, EPM-1 Zaw Min presented gifts to Chinese technicians working there. The project is nearing completion. The Kengtawng station is already supplying round-the-clock electric power to towns in Shan State South including Kengtawng, Langkho, Mongpan, Monei, Maukmai, Namkham, Loilem, Mongpan, Panglong, Leikha, Hopong and Taunggyi.

NLM, 22/09/08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n080922.htm

EPM -2 Khin Maung Myint inspects the construction of pylons along the 132-kV Nanhsan [Namzang] – Loilem – Pinlet [Pinpet] power line in Loilem district.

NLM, 29/08./08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n080829.htm

Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing of MoD inspects the Kengtawng hydropower project being implemented by HPID of EPM No 1. Installation of the generators is continuing.

NLM, 22/08/08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n080822.htm

DepEPM-1 Myo Myint visits the Kengtawng hydropower project. He checks on the two diversion weirs, the construction of the intake structure and canals and the laying of steel pipelines. The sub-power station is also under construction. Stator coils are being installed in No 3 power generator and the stator coil foundation plate in No 2 power generator. Work is proceeding on the excitation panel and control room in the power plant. A gift is presented to Niuton Yan of CNEEC Co Ltd of the PRC.

SHAN, 27/02/08. http://www.bnionline.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=1&id=8&Itemid=6

Authorities in Southern Shan State have allowed locals to open gambling houses in order to obtain funds for the opening ceremony of the Kengtawng hydro power plant. On 14 February, they were open for five days at a location east of the TPDC office, near Mwaydaw Narm Mong pagoda. On February 18, gambling was moved to Wan Gao Nawng Lao, Kunlong tract, west of Kengtawng waterfalls. The project was started 19 November 2001 and construction was completed at the end of January 2008. The opening ceremony is to be held on 21 March 2008, the Full Moon Day of the fourth month, according to the lunar calendar.

NLM, 01/02/08. http://burmalibrary.org/docs4/NLM2008-02-01.pdf

At the Kengtawng hydropower project, EPM-1 Zaw Min briefs visiting generals on construction work at the site. The two diversion weirs, the power intake building, the inlet channel, the channels, the water tanks and other tasks have been completed. The laying of the pre-stressed pipelines is 65pc complete and the construction of the power station, 80pc. It is expected that the whole project will be finished by mid-2008. EPM-2 Khin Maung Myint reports that preparations are underway to transmit power from the Kengtawng Falls plant to townships in the Loilem and Langkho districts through the Namsang power station. Any surplus will be supplied to the main grid through the 132-kV Namsang-Pinpet-Kalaw power line. Work is underway on the Kengtawng-Namsang, Namsang-Pinpet, Namsang-Loilem and Namsang-Mongnai power lines, construction of power stations in Namsang, Loilem and Mongnai, and installation of power lines such as those from Mongnai to Maukmai and Langkho to Mongpan and a power line from the falls to the Kengtawng area. [Sub-]power stations are under construction in Mongnai, Maukmai, Langkho, Mongpan and Kengtawng. One generator of the plant at Kengtawng falls is already in operation. A fruit basket is presented to Wu Jing De, project manager. [A photo of the falls is included in the print edition of NLM.]

NLM, 26/01/08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n080126.htm

At the briefing hall of the 132/66-kV main power station (branch) of MEPE [in Nansang], Lt-Gen Kyaw Win of the MoD is briefed on the distribution of electricity in Shan State South and the installation of the 132-kV power line between Kengtawng and Nansang [Namzang]. When the Kengtawng hydropower station is completed, the power line will supply electricity to areas of Shan State South.

NLM, 18/01/08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n080118.htm

EPM No 1 Zaw Min visits Kengtawng hydropower project site on Nanhtein creek, 30 miles northeast of Mongnai and checks into construction tasks and the installation of machines at the power plant. Work is proceeding on the digging of the tailrace channel, concrete laying and earth work in connection with the switch yard. He also oversees the laying of pipelines and progress in building the water intake structure. The project is 86pc complete.

NLM, 17/01/08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n080117.htm

EPM-1 Zaw Min visits Upper Kengtawng hydropower project and inspects the work-site, waterfall and the place to install power station. It is on Namtain Creek, about 10 miles northwest of Kengtawng and is the first hydropower project to start up in 2008. It will eventually produce 52.5 MW.

NLM, 10/08/07. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/07nlm/n070810.htm

Project Director U San Wai reports that 76.3% of the construction work on the Kentawng project has been covered.

Platts Myanmar Country Energy Profile, [mid-2007]. For access information, see Power Profile

In October 2002, preliminary work got underway on the Kengtawng hydroelectric project on Namtein Creek, 50km east of Mongnai. In June 2005, MEP signed agreements with CNEEC and Zhejiang Orient Holdings Group Ltd (ZOHG) for the purchase of construction materials and electrical equipment for the project. The total value of the contracts was US$15 million. Three 18-MW units are being installed at the site with annual output expected to be about 470 GWh. Electricity will be supplied to southern Shan townships in Loilem and Langkho districts and to the national grid at 132kV. The power will also be distributed to other townships including Taunggyi via a new 66kV line. Kengtawng falls could be on-line in 2008.

NLM, 28/04/07. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/07nlm/n070428.htm

The Kengtawng project covers 11 major tasks of which the construction of diversion dams Nos 1 and 2, the power intake building, the power intake canal, the silt lake and water channel are finished. The water control lake, pre-stressed pipeline, power plant, sub-power station and outlet channel of the plant are under construction. The whole project is 73pc complete. Arrangements are underway to undertake the Upper Kengtawng hydropower project on Namtein creek, 10 miles northwest of the town of Kengtawng. It will store water for the power station at Kengtawng Falls. A feasibility study indicates that it could also generate 60 MW. A detailed survey is to be carried out.

NLM, 06/11/06. www.myanmar-information.net/infosheet/2006/061106.htm

In Nanning in the PRC EPM No 1 Zaw Min meets with Chairman Zhao Ruolin and party of CNEEC about the timely arrival of electronic and mechanical equipment for Yenwe, Yeywa, Khabaung and Kengtawng hydel power projects.

NLM, 07/06/06. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/06nlm/n060607.htm

Two small-scale power stations which generate 135 kW to be used for construction tasks at the project are underway. Work continues on two concrete diversion dams and two bridges across Nanttain creek. The project will supply power to Namsang, Laikha, Panglong and Loilem in Loilem District and to Mongnai, Langkho and Mongpan through Namsang sub-power station. Surplus power is to be supplied to the national power grid through Kalaw sub-power station.

NLM, 03/01/06. http://http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/06nlm/n060103.htm

Work continuing on No 1 and 2 diversion weirs, intake structure, canal and other facilities. Project is 46pc complete

MIC, 23/08/05. http://www.myanmar-information.net/infosheet/2005/050823.htm

HPD signed a 4.56-million-dollar contract with Zhejiang Orient Holdings Group Limited- ZOHG to buy 132-kV cables and electrical equipment from China.

NLM, 17/06/05. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/05nlm/n050617.htm

HPD signed two agreements with China National Electric Equipment Corp [CNEEC] and Zhejiang Orient Holdings Group Ltd [ZHOG] for the purchase of construction materials and electrical equipment for the Kengtawng project Under the agreement with the CNEEC-ZOHG consortium, the HPD will purchase generators, transformers and electrical equipment worth US$11.5 million. Under the deal with CNEEC, HPD will also buy ironwork valued at US$3.5 million from CNEEC.

[Compiler’s note: The Hunan Savoo Overseas Water and Engineering Co has also participated in the construction of the Yenwe dam and powerhouse, probably as a sub-contractor to CNEEC for hydraulic steel equipment. See pictures and text in Chinese on the Hunan Savoo website.]

http://www.hhpdi.com/hhpdi/ShowArticle.asp?ArticleID=113
SHAN, 08/06/04. http://206.225.87.154:9080/live/shan/articles/environment/2004/Kengtawng_to_light_Shan_State_South_by_2006.htm

Burma's military authorities recently postponed the startup of the Kengtawng Falls power station from 2004 to 2006, according to sources from Kengtawng, a sub-township 100 miles east of Taunggyi, where they have been trying to harness the Zong-arng waterfalls since 2001. A trader said the source of the information was U Nyi Nyi Aung, sub township officer. "When we asked him why, he just told us there were some technical problems." Bowing to the advice of the Japanese experts to preserve the natural beauty as much as possible, Burmese engineers have constructed a diversion two-and-a-half miles long, a local quoted a government official as saying.

NLM, 26-05-04. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/04nlm/n040526.htm

General Khin Nyunt and party arrived at Kengtawng hydel power project near Kengtawng waterfall on Namtein creek, 31 miles east of Mongnai in Loilem district. Deputy EPM Myo Myint reported on salient points regarding the project including geological conditions, current of Namtein creek, hydrological findings, construction of the diversion weir under the project, process for generating electricity, measures for installation of power lines. Director U Soe Myint of HPD reported on the construction of the first diversion weir, the intake structure, the silt settling tank and other matters. Afterwards, the PM inspected the flow of Namtein creek and Kengtawng waterfall. The hydel power plant will be installed with three 18-MW turbines and will be able to generate 472 million kilowatt hours annually. Compiler’s Note: Pictures of the falls are available at http://www.mrtv3.net.mm/pages/kengtaun.html.

NLM, 01/08/03. http://http://www.myanmar.gov.mm/Article/Article2003/aug/Aug01b.htm

Preparatory tasks are being carried out to build a hydel power station at the 410-foot-high Kengtawng falls on Nanttain creek about 30 miles east of the town of Mongnai. The flow of water along the 210-mile-long creek is about 3,500 cu feet per second. The reinforced concrete hydel power plant at Kengtawng Falls will be 175 ft by 120 ft and 90 ft high. The project includes a 150-ft-long and 12-ft-high concrete weir, a 4-ft-long and 6-ft-high under sluice, a 60-ft-long, 40-ft-wide and 32-ft-high intake structure, a 6,560-ft-long, 15-ft-wide and 12-ft-high perpendicular intake channel, a 360-ft-long, 80-ft-wide and 20-ft high storage tank and a 1,500-ft-long and 10.5-ft-wide steel pipe. The project started in 2002-03 and will be completed in 2004-05. The Department of Electric Power will install 66-kV power lines along a 130-mile route from Kengtawng Falls to Taunggyi -- 31 miles from Kengtawng to Mongnai, 30 miles from Mongnai to Namsang, 12 miles from Namsang to Loilem and 57 miles from Loilem to Taunggyi. A total of four sub-power stations -- an 11/66-kV station in Kengtawng, a 66/11-kV-5M station in Mongnai, a 66/11-kV 30-MVA station in Namsang and a 66/11-kV 10-MVA station in Loilem -- will be built to supply electricity to Mongnai, Lankho, Mongpan, Namhsan, Loilem, Mongpun and Taunggyi from Kengtwang and to Panglong and Laikha from Loilem.

NLM, 20/05/03. http://http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/03nlm/n030520.htm

The Kengtawng project will be undertaken without tarnishing the natural beauty of the waterfalls and its environs. Three 18-MW turbines capable of generating 472 million kWh annually will be installed. The power will also be distributed to 11 townships including Taunggyi after the extension of a 66-kV line.

NLM, 01/01/03. http://www.myanmar.gov.mm/Article/Article2003/jan/jan1d.html

A survey was conducted for implementation of Kengtaung hydel power project at Kengtaung waterfalls on Nantim creek, 31 miles east of Mongnai. Construction is under way. Three turbines will generate 30 MW in the first phase of the project, a 15-MW turbine will be added in the second phase.

SHAN, 28/09/02. http://:www.burmaissues.org/En/Old

A ten-man team of Japanese engineers was recently at Shan State's biggest waterfall on an initial surveying trip, reported local sources coming across the border. The team arrived on 19 September and spent about three hours at Zong-arng, the 975-ft high chute with a probable generating capacity of 60MW, before returning to Taunggyi. During their three day visit, the Japanese tema inspected the western part of Zong-arng, 14 miles south of Tonhoong, the sub-township seat. The visit followed the abandonment of the project by Chinese engineers in December 2001 after 62 people including 19 Chinese, 21 Burmese employees and 22 Burmese soldiers died under mysterious circumstances within a span of one month.

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GENERATOR FIRED BY PHYSIC NUT OIL SUPPLYING POWER IN WAMMAISON VILLAGE

May May Ni, NLM, 28/09/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2008-09-28.pdf

Wammaison Village in Laikha township, Shan State South, is one of the villages under the development programs of the government. The main business of the village is agriculture and livestock breeding. Local people grow paddy, maize, groundnut, soya-bean and garlic. Due to the use of fertilizers and weeding work, paddy yields in the village area are 105 baskets of paddy per acre and farmers are able to store paddy for their own consumption. 40,000 acres of paddy are grown in Laikha township which has a rice sufficiency rate of 269pc. Wanmaison villagers have also planted orange and mango trees such as orange. The people are conserving fuel-wood plantations and reserve forests for greening the region.
There are 115 houses in the village which has a primary school and a self-reliant library. Potable water is available from the village-owned tube-well. Earth lanes have been built connecting the houses in the village.
Thriving physic nut plantations can also be witnessed in Wanmaison. On 12 September 2008 a ceremony was held to launch a village-owned generator fired by physic nut oil. On the occasion, Laiikha Township Electrical Engineer Myo Min Hlaing explained matters related to the construction and installation of the generator. At present the generator is supplying power to the whole village. As a result, local people can enjoy the TV programs at home.
Compiler’s Note: This is an abridged version of the original article. A photo in the print edition of NLM shows people of the village celebrating the opening of their power plant.
Website reference

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/Mekong/Proceedings/SEF2-Annex6.4-Myanmar-Presentation.pdf

Information presented by the Energy Planning Dept of the Myanmar Ministry of Energy at the second subregional energy forum in Ho Chi Minh city on 22/11/08 indicates that the Dept of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) of the Ministry of Energy (MOE) of Thailand is sponsoring a community- based bio-diesel demonstration project in Myanmar.

Additional references
See below: ‘Use of bio-diesel fuel for rural electrification to get attention’ (NLM: 28/09/08)
NLM, 06/10/08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n081006.htm

PM Thein Sein visits the factory of Tawwin Industrial Co Ltd in Mandalay where he looks over samples of physic nut oil produced by the physic nut mill made by the company. The Prime Minister speaks about arrangements for production of quality machines, constant study and innovation in order to produce high quality machines.

NLM, 31/08/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs5/NLM2008-08-31.pdf

At the bio-diesel plant of the Eastern Command in Taunggyi, Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing of the MoD and Chairman of Shan State Commander Brig-Gen Ya Pyae view the generating of electricity with the use of two-way gasifier and production of physic nut oil.

NLM, 18/05/07. http://burmalibrary.org/docs2/NLM2007-05-18.pdf

The Taw Win Industrial Co Ltd is making the MR 072 brand oil mill at its foundry and machine shop at the corner of 51st Street and Pho Yarzar Road in the No 2 Industrial Zone in Pyigyidagun township in Mandalay. On a visit to the plant, Central Commander Khin Zaw said the Head of State had encouraged entrepreneurs to take innovative measures to produce high quality machines to extract physic nut oil and that MR 072 brand machine was a result of this initiative. The commander said that it was necessary to readdress weak points in the production of bio-diesel at the laboratory stage. In addition, preparations were to be made to produce larger machines. The MR 072 machine can mill two or 2.25 baskets of physic nut seeds per hour and can produce physic nut oil from the seeds.

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NATCHAUNG MODEL VILLAGE WELL SUPPLIED WITH ELECTRIC POWER

NLM, 15/09/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2008-09-15.pdf

Natchaung (23° 00' N, 94° 02' E), the largest village in Kalay township of Sagaing Division, is home to 5,250 people. It s located at the foot of the Chin Hills, 15 miles south of Kalay. The village was first established with 21 houses in 1258 Myanmar Era [CE 1896] by village head U Yan Naing. After 100 years in 1358 ME [1996] the number of houses at the village reached 1,110. In 2008, there are 1,225 houses.
The distance between Natchaung and Falam of Chin State by road is 54.5 miles and 82.5 miles by road from Gangaw in Magwe division. A 15-mile-long tarred road connects Natchaung with Kalay. The village is located on the Kalay - Gangaw railroad line and daily train service is provided between Natchaung and the two cities as well as Hanthawady and Mwele. In addition, three-wheeler taxies and buses run along the Kalay-Natchaung road. The Kalay-Natchaung-Gangaw road can be used all the year round. Even in the rainy season, local people of Natchaung can use express buses to travel along the Kalay-Mandalay-Monywa road. Apart from these transport services, the people can travel to Gangaw and Kalay from Natchaung by motorized boat along the Myittha River.
In the past, Natchaung Village lagged behind in development but n 2008, it was upgraded to the status of model village. A Basic Education High School Branch located in the village and three boarding schools have produced many students who passed the matriculation examinations and degreeholders yearly. Six staff members provide health care services at the 16-bed station hospital in the village. Over K 2 million have been donated to the medical trust fund of the hospital. There is also a fire brigade and watch tower. The post office serves as the communication cetnre of Natchaung. A self-reliant telephone station has three autotelephones installed and over 200 hand-carrier telephones not only for the local calls but also for the overseas calls daily. Natchaung also has a library, youth centre, park and playground. To ensure availability of potable water, there are 344 wells including tube-wells and artesian wells. Fly-proof latrines have been built in Natchaung.
At present, local people get electricity generated by one government-owned 12-KVA generator, three privately-owned hydropower turbines, nine privately-run diesel generators and one 200 KVA paddy husk fired power generator. At night, all the houses and streets in the village are illuminated.
With regard to the agriculture sector, a total of 3,832 acres of farmlands are put under monsoon paddy, monsoon sesame, pigeon pea, lentil, groundnut, sunflower, corn and maize. In addition, over 50 acres of physic nut plantations are being nurtured for producing bio-fuel. In the time of the State Peace and Development Council, remarkable progress can be seen day after day in Natchaung Model Village in southern part of Kalay Township that is home to local farmers.
Out of 1,683 acres of farmlands, 428 acres of farmlands to the south of the village are supplied with water from Panmun Creek, 68 acres of farmlands are also supplied with water from Chaungchauk Creek and 1,195 acres are in the irrigated area of private dams. The residents are engaged in cultivation of lentil, groundnut, sunflower, sesame, maize, pumpkin and cucumber plantations on both banks of Myittha River, east of the village. Every day, seasonal crops are available at Natchaung rural market that includes four buildings accommodating 140 shops. Even shopkeepers and customers from Kalay can be seen at the said market.