Electrical industry of burma/myanmar

THAILAND TO ASSIST MYANMAR IN STUDY OF WIND GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY

Xinhua, 12/03/09. (edited)

http://www.macaudailytimesnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24005&Itemid=32
Myanmar Ministry of Energy and its Thai counterpart have agreed to cooperate in generating electricity from wind in Myanmar's coastal regions during 2009, sources with the Myanmar Hydrology and Meteorology Department said yesterday. Under an MoU between the two parties, Thai electrical experts will come to Myanmar in the near future to study the feasibility of installing equipment to measure the potential of wind energy in the country.
The study follows up a similar co-operative endeavour in 2008 when the two parties constructed five solar energy measurement towers in the Yangon, Mandalay, Shwebo, Meikhtila and Pyay regions, the report said.
Meanwhile, a project implemented by the Myanmar Engineering Society to apply the movement of ocean tides to the generation of electricity is to resume. The project was initiated in a village in Ngaputaw township in 2006, but was set back by flooding in the area caused by Cyclone Nargis last year.
The use of bio-digesters that use animal waste to produce electricity has also become widespread since 2007. According to a local report, since the bio-digesters were introduced in Bago and Ayeyawaddy divisions, they have been used to electrify over 2,000 houses in 12 villages.
Additional references
See above: ‘Gunkul Engineering to generate wind power in southeast Myanmar’ (MT: 14/11/11)

See below: ‘Delta holds great potential for tidal power generation’ (Voice Weekly: 13/02/06)

‘Wind power system ideal for villages, says engineer’ (MT: 05/12/05)

'Biogas power plants supply electricity to rural areas’ (MT: 16/08/04)

‘Solar power seen as solution for remote villages’ (MT: 06/10/03)

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STUDENTS DEMAND BETTER ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY

Wai Moe, Irrawaddy Online, 10/03/09. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=15276

On the evening of March 6th, high school students on about 50 motorcycles held a small protest in Moulmein, the third-largest city in Burma, ahead of university entrance examinations on March 11th. The high school students didn’t shout slogans about politics or democracy; they just demanded better access to electricity for citizens. The protest spread to Twante, a town near Rangoon.
Burma has one of the world’s worst systems of energy distribution. Outside of Naypyidaw, most of the country is in the dark more often than not. Even residents of Rangoon, the country’s main commercial center, receive only meager rations of electricity; 24-hour access hasn’t been seen for more than a decade. “Although Rangoon is a dark city at night, every corner of Naypyidaw has light,” said a government staffer in the new capital.
High-ranking generals and the state-run media often claim that the regime is making great strides in providing the country with a reliable supply of electricity. Senior members of the junta are routinely shown inspecting new hydropower projects. According to the CIA’s World Factbook, Burma’s electricity production in 2006 was 5.961 million kWh, while consumption was just 4.289 million kWh.
In response to the protest in Moulmein, local authorities provided electricity for all areas of the city on March 7th. “It was really unusual in Moulmein. We did not see electricity across the city for many years,” a resident said.
But the near-miraculous event was short-lived. The situation has since returned to “normal,” and people remain as energy-starved as ever. “Now, as usual, there is no electricity,” said a journalist in Moulmein, adding that the authorities have tightened security in the city, checking people as well as motorcycles.
Additional references
See below: ‘Gas turbine failure restricts electricity supply in Yangon’ (Xin: 01/02/09)
Mon Son & Asah, IMNA, 09/03/09

http://www.bnionline.net/news/imna/5945-electricity-returns-after-students-stage-protest-in-moulmein-.html

At least one hundred students in Moulmein staged a protest to complain about lack of electricity on Friday, March 6th. Electricity was restored the next day, say local sources, while the owners of student hostels were also ordered to purchase generators. About 30 students began gathering in Myaing-tha-yar Quarter at about 9 pm. Hostels in Myaing-tha-yar Quarter have been the primary housing for students since Burma’s military junta abolished on-campus dormitories in 1996. Twenty minutes later, the group moved on to the Ngante electricity station, which distributes power to the city. This time they were met by the station’s on-site guards who heard their demands and then asked them to leave. The group next went to the headquarters of the Southeast Command, which controls Burmese army battalions in Mon State. The students, however, dispersed quickly after arriving at the headquarters hich are surrounded by a large fence and armed soldiers posted at the front gate. Though electricity supplies are frequently inconsistent and weak, the demonstration appears to have been set off by the students’ desire to study for approaching exams and frustration with trying to do so in the dark. “Grade 10 students and university students are near sitting their exams. So if we don’t get electricity, it is very difficult for us and especially for the students to study,” explained a hostel owner. Exams for 10th standard students are on March 11th, while university students have exams all week. “We did not get electricity for 3 days,” said a student. “It was difficult for us to get water [because our pump did not work], it was difficult for us to study. And it was very close to our exams.” Electricity supplies resumed the next morning. According to a Myaing-tha-yar resident who works in another quarter, the renewed electricity supply is citywide. “Since the students protested, we’ve had electricity every day,” said the resident. Student hostel owners, meanwhile, have been ordered to purchase generators to provide electricity to students when future supplies are inconsistent. At 8 am on Saturday, the Myaing-tha-yar Quarter headman summoned hostel owners to a meeting. According to a source who spoke with a hostel owner present at the meeting, the owners were each made to sign a paper promising to purchase generators within the next week. Not all hostel owners were present at the meeting, he added.

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RISKY JOB FOR LINE CREW ON BAGO RIVER CROSSING PYLONS

Kayan Soe Myint, NLM, 27/02/09 (edited and rewritten)

http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2009-02-27.pdf
Work on the section of the transmission line across the Bago river between the Thakayta and Thanlyin power stations is nearing completion. The Bago river crossing section is part of the 68.73 mile-long, 230-kV grid that will link Kamanat with Thanlyin and Thaketa. The Kamanat power station is already linked with generating plants in central Burma through a 230-kV transmission grid.
Superintending Engineer Saw Win Maung of the Power Supply Project (South) said the installation of the power lines across the Bago River was being carried out jointly by the Power Supply Project (South) of MEPE under the EPM No 2, Public Works of the Construction Ministry, and the Marine Administration Dept of the Directorate of Water Resources. He added that the project was launched in the first four-month period of 2008, and was scheduled to be completed by March 2009. Tasks for installing power lines on Thakayta side were being carried out under the close supervision of the Chief Engineer and on the Thanlyin side, under the close supervision of Chief Engineer Than Shwe in co-operation with Chief Engineer Win Aung and party. I saw the workers installing the cables atop the pylons in the river at risk to their lives.
Altogether there will be 308 pylons along the line between Kamanat, Thanlyin and Thakayta. Work on transmission towers has been carried out by private companies on a contract basis. [Photos of a line crew at work and the Bago river crossing operation are included in the print edition of NLM. The article was first published in Burmese in Myanma Alin on 25/02/09.]
Compiler’s note:

The 230-kV transmission grid connecting Kamanat with the sub-power station near Phayagon village in Thanlyin is a key factor in the development of a special economic zone (SEZ) that is expected to attract foreign industry to the Thilawa port area along the Yangon river. Several news items on the Thilawa SEZ are included below.

Map references:

The power station at Kamanat (near Bago) will be the main distributrion point for the transmission lines connecting the developing network of generating stations in the Sittaung valley with Yangon. Its present and future connections with the the Sittaung generating plants and the substations in the Yangon area can best be seen by comparing the maps found on Slides 34 and 35 of the Myanmar presentation to an ASEAN policy seminar on regional power issues in Sept 2007. http://burmalibrary.org/docs2/MMpresentation.pdf

Up until the present, the only connection with Yangon has been through the 230-kV line connecting Kamanat with the power station at Hlawga, north of Yangon. When the Kamanat – Myaungdaga and the Kamanat – Thanlyin – Thaketa 230-kV transmission lines are completed sometime in 2009-10, there will be three interconnecting grids. The sub-power station at Thanlyin is presently linked with Thaketa by means of a 66-kV line. Note that Kamanat also serves as the connection point for the 230-kV transmission line that connects the generating station at Thaton with the national grid.
Additional references
See above: ‘Towers on Hlinethaya-Ahlon power grid under construction’ (NLM: 31/01/11)

See below: ‘Power hungry Myaungdagar industrial zone nearly ready nearly ready (MT: 25/02/08)

‘Grid Map 4: Transmission System as it existed in mid-2007’

‘Grid Map 5: Grid projects underway 2007 - 2009

NLM, 16/02/09. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2009-02-16.pdf

EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint inspects installation of the 230-kV, twin-bundle, double-circuit transmission line at the Bago river crossing point on the Thanlyin-Thaketa line. Project Manager Saw Win Maung of MEPE reports on construction of the power grid and installation of the power line between towers 9 and 16. A puller machine is being used in construction of the power line while a tensioner is being used to install the 605-MCM ACSR conductors.

NLM, 19/11/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs5/NLM2008-11-19.pdf

EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint inspects a pile driver preparing for construction of pylon 248 at MP 60 along the Bago-Thongwa-Yangon road near the village of Thahtaykwin Sanpya in Thongwa township. He goes on to the main sub-power station in Thanlyin and checks on construction of the switch yard there. A total of 272 pylons is being erected along the Kamanat-Thanlyin power grid and 36 pylons along the Thanlyin-Thakayta [twin]-bundle, double circuit transmission line, as well as 230-kV and 33-kV switching bays at the Kamanat and Phayagon (Thanlyin) main sub-power stations. [A photo of the pile driver is included in the print edition of NLM.]

NLM, 02/07/08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n080702.htm

Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the MoD arrives at Kamanat main sub-power station of MEPE where an official reports on completion of the concrete [bases for the] towers of the 61-mile-long, 230-kV Kamanat – Thanlyin – [Thaketa] power line and the 40-mile-long, 230-kV Kamanat - Myaungtaga power line. The general calls for a speedy completion of the two lines, as they are needed to supply the electric power demand in Yangon.

NLM, 18/03/08. http://burmalibrary.org/docs4/NLM2008-03-18.pdf

Construction of the 230/33/11-kVA (100 MVA) Phayagon sub-power station in Thanlyin township continues, including work on the switch yard and connections to the 230-kV grid.

NLM, 09/05/07. http://burmalibrary.org/docs2/NLM2007-05-09.pdf

Director Thein Hlaing reports on the plan to set up six pylons across the Bago river on the 230-kV power line between Thakayta and Thanlyin. The operation will be undertaken in co-operation with the Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems. Measures will need to be taken to ensure that the towers are resistant to storms and the strong current in the river.

NLM, 11/01/07. http://burmalibrary.org/docs2/NLM2007-01-11.pdf

EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint visits the site of the 230/33 kV sub-power station near Phayagon village inThanlyin Township were Project Manager Saw Win Maung reports that 90pc of the construction tasks have been completed. Arrangements are being made to supply power through eight feeders. [A photo of the switching yard of the station is included in the print edtion of NLM.]

NLM, 13/12/06. http://burmalibrary.org/docs2/NLM2006-12-13.pdf

Director Thein Hlaing of Electricity Distribution Project (South) reports to EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint on the construction of the 230-kV Thakayta-Thanlyin grid over the Bago River. Daw Soe Soe Tint of Myanmar V-Pile Co Ltd gives an account of the plan for setting up the towers for the grid. An inspection of the sites for towers on the Thakayta side [of the Bago river] ensues.

Thilawa Special Economic Zone
Shan Herald, 14/03/07. www.shanland.org/humanrights/2007/rice-paddies-seized-for-thilawa-sez/

Thousands of acres of rice fields in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project area near Rangoon are being confiscated by junta authorities leaving farming families in the area landless, reports Chai Sayam. The seized land is being sold to Chinese, Japanese and Indian investors by auction. Announcements have promised a round-the-clock water and power supply to the entrepreneurs. Land seized by the authorities covers adjoining areas of Thanlyin and Kyauktan townships southeast of Rangoon. One paddy field owner, Daw San Yi, 54, who lived at Bogyoke village in Syriam, took suicide by leaping into a reservoir near her home on 6 March after losing her land.

Ye Lwin, Myanmar Times, 13/02/07. http://www.mmtimes.com/no354/b002.htm

Land at the proposed Thilawa Special Economic Zone south of Yangon is being set aside for investors from Japan and Singapore as well as China, an official from the Ministry of Commerce said last week. “Previously, only China was interested in establishing factories there, but Japan and Singapore have also shown interest,” said the official. The Thilawa zone in Kyauktan township will be established once the draft Myanmar Special Economic Zone Law is enacted. The proposed zone is near Thilawa international port, one of the biggest in Myanmar. China and Japan have each been allocated 3176 acres at the 7000-acre zone and another 247 acres has been set aside for investors from Singapore. “The Thilawa zone will meet international standards and will be the biggest of six designated free trade areas,” the official told The Myanmar Times on January 30. The Thilawa site is expected to attract an initial investment of US$700 million. Foreign direct investment in the zones will include the establishment of labour-intensive factories aimed at creating job opportunities.

Xinhua: 20/12/05. www.china.org.cn/english/international/152520.htm

A master plan for Myanmar's Thilawa Special Industrial Zone designed by Chinese experts was formally handed over to the Myanmar government on Tuesday. The plan for the special zone was developed by a team of experts from China's Shanghai city over a period of 10 months following an agreement on economic and technical co-operation between the two countries signed on March 24, 2004. The industrial zone, 25 km south of Yangon will cover an area of 12.8 square-kms. It has been designed as an export processing zone, the first of its kind in Myanmar, according to a Myanmar construction official. Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Guan Mu and Myanmar Deputy Minister of Construction Tint Swe attended the presentation ceremony. Observers said that if the Thilawa zone is built in accordance with the master plan, it will absorb huge foreign investment to promote Myanmar's industrial development, export and economic development.

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DIVERSION PHASE OF NANCHO HYDROPOWER PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION

Maung Maung, NLM, 25/02/09. (edited and re-written)

http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2009-02-25.pdf
Nancho hydropower project is being implemented by Construction Group 1 of EPM-1 on Nancho creek, a tributary of the Paunglaung river. The dam on Nancho creek will be 12 miles upstream from the 280-MW Paunglaung hydropower station and seven miles from the confluence of Nancho creek and the Paunglaung river. The Nancho dam dam will contribute to generation of hydroelectricity [downstream] by storing water that flows into Nancho creek in the rainy season. Construction work is not expected to slow the flow of water in Nancho creek.
Annual rainfall is about 65 inches in the 317-square-mile watershed area above the dam. As a result, approximately 1024 cubic feet of water per second flow into Nancho creek, amounting to a total of 767,110 acre-feet per year. The water will be stored behind an ambankment that will be 443 feet long and 167 feet high. To conserve the natural environmental of the area, the embankment will be constructed with conventionally vibrated concrete (CVC) rather than roller compacted concrete (RCC) with an earthen core.
Water from the reservoir will be funneled through a concrete intake structure installed with a 49-foot-wide, 73-foot-high sluice gate into a 7330-foot-long, 15.5-foot-wide channel that will lead to a 1,269 foot-long, 79 foot-wide control lake. From the control lake a 13-foot-diameter, 876-foot-long prestressed steel pipeline.will lead to two Francis-type turbines in the power station. Surplus water from the reservoir will be released through a 349-foot-wide overflow type spillway.
Two 20-megawatt generators at the power plant will evenutally supply 152 million kilowatt hours to the national grid. Nancho hydropower project isscheduled to be completed in 2010.
Since Salu Creek is located between the intake structure and the water control lake, the two intake tunnels will be connected with a 15.5-foot-diameter, 384-foot-long aquaduct that will keep the creek from being blocked. The aquaduct will pass over the creek bed on a bridge supported by two concrete posts. At present, a temporary embankment and the conduit are under construction. This will complete the diversion operation so that construction of the main embankment can begin.
To provide electricity during the construction period, a smallscale hydropower plant that generates 60 kW has been constructed on Hsaungtaung creek.
[This article was originally published in Myanma Alin on 17/02/09. It is accompanied by several valuable site photos taken by the journalist. A diagram showing the layout of the main features described in the original would have been very useful. The original version in English should be consulted for clarification.]
Topographic map references: Burma 1:250,000: Series U542, U.S. Army Map: NF 47-01: Pyinmana Nancho creek dam, 16 miles east of Pyinmana [19° 46' N, 96° 19' E], grid square reference: 10\9, 25\9,

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/burma/txu-oclc-6924198-ne47-1.jpg
Additional References
Data summary Nancho creek

See below: “Agreement signed on Upper Paunglaung hydropower project (MIC: 04/09/05)

‘Paunglaung power plant Myanmar’s first underground station’ (MT: 14/03/05)
NLM, 17/11/10. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs09/NLM2010-11-17.pdf

EPM-1 Zaw Min visits the Namcho hydropower project site, 16 miles to the southeast of Pyinmana, and checks on construction work. It is expected to generate 152 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually and is about 58.11pc complete.

NLM, 29/08/10. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs09/NLM2010-08-29.pdf

EPM-1 checks on land preparations for laying the steel penstock and construction of the power station and switch yard at the Nancho hydropower project, seven miles upstream of the confluence of Nancho creek and the Paunglaung river. He also looks into construction of the concrete water control tank and digging of the entrance and exit at no. 2 water tunnel and concrete lining works of no. 1 tunnel. Work is proceeding on concrete embankment and water intake structure. The whole project is now 57.47pc complete. [A good photo of the underlying skeleton of the main embankment and control gate is included in the print edition of NLM.]

Khin Maung Than (Sethmu), NLM, 21/03/09. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2009-03-21.pdf

Nancho creek originates at the border of Kayin and Kayah states and flows into the Paunglaung river. The Nancho hydropower project is located near the point where Salu, Hsaungtaung and Sayit creeks flow into the Nancho. Salu creek flows across and below the entrances to two water intake tunnels that link the intake structure of the millrace channel and the water control lake. The two water intake tunnels will be connected by a 15.5-foot-diameter, 384 feet long aquaduct that carries the millrace above Salu Creek. The bridge will be supported by two concrete posts. The bridge has been built so that the aquaduct will not block the flow of water in Salu Creek as well as to conserve the natural beauty of the location. A total of 23 civil engineers, two mechanical engineers and two electrical engineers together with 35 civil workers, 10 mechanical workers and 120 other skillful workers are striving for timely completion of the project. [A photo of one of the entrance to one of the intake tunnels that shows its location above the course of Salu creek accompanies the article. Another photo shows construction activity in one of the tunnels. This article originally appeared in Burmese in Kyemon on 16/03/09. It repeats many of the details in the key article published in Myanma Alin on 17/02/09 (see above). The two journalists appear to have visited the project at the same time.]

NLM, 13/03/09. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2009-03-13.pdf

EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint inspects the foundation of No 1 tower and ithe installation of tower No 19 of the Ahtet Paunglaung – Nancho - Paunglaung 230-kV power grid.

NLM, 08/03/09. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2009-03-08.pdf

Earth and concrete work continues. A site for a shed to store pozzolan is being prepared. The Nancho project is now 30.5pc complete.

NLM, 12/01/09. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2009-01-12.pdf

Work on the construction of the water intake tunnel at the Nancho hydropower project, 16 miles east of Pyinmana is ongoing. [A photo showing evidence of clear cutting along the sides of the reservoir basin is included in the print edition of NLM.]

NLM, 05/12/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/NLM2008-12-05.pdf

EPM No 1 Zaw Min inspects the Nancho hydropower project about seven miles upstream along Nancho creek in Pyinmana township. Director Thaung Han of No 1 Construction Group reports on work in progress, follow-up programmes, arrival of materials and requirements. So far, the project is 24pc complete.

NLM, 07/07/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs5/NLM2008-07-07.pdf

The Minister and Deputy Minister of EPM No 1 visit the Nancho project where they inspect sites for the head tank along the water intake canal. The Nancho hydropower will be able to generate 152 million kWh of electricity per year.

NLM, 04/02/08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n080204.htm

The Nancho hydropower project on Nancho creek, 16 miles from Pyinmana, will generate 40 MW. The drilling of water tunnel No 1 and the portal of water tunnel No 2 are underway. Preparations are being made for the construction of the power station. The project is 17pc complete.

NLM, 23/12/07. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/07nlm/n071223.htm

Nay Pyi Taw Commander Wai Lwin inspects the Nancho hydro power project in east Pyinmana. Work is proceeding on the construction of a [diversion] tunnel and drilling of the stone wall. The project is expected to generate 152 million kWh a year. After visiting Wepauk and Gamong Taung villages, he goes on to the [Upper] Paung Laung dam site.

Franco – ASEAN Seminar Myanmar Country Presentation, 06-07/09/07.

http://www.jgsee.kmutt.ac.th/seminar_programme/DAY%202/Country%20Report%202/Tin%20-%20Myanmar%20-%20Presentation.pdf

The Nancho dam and power station with a planned capacity of 30 MW is under implementation by the HPID. It will generate 128 million kWh when it comes on-line in 2009.

NLM, 25/02/07. http://burmalibrary.org/docs2/NLM2007-02-25.pdf

General Than Shwe and party are taken by helicopter to the site of the Nancho hydropower project on Nancho Creek where EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint reports on the water storage capacity of the dam and how electricity produced will be distributed from the various projects in the region to the national grid. Gen Than Shwe says that the projects are being carried out to provide power for Nay Pyi Taw and environs and the whole country. To preserve the flow of water into the dams in the Paunglaung watershed he warns against cutting timber and use of burning to clear land for agricultural purposes in the watershed areas of the dams. At the Nancho Creek project a fruit basket is given to the civil engineers of Kansai Electric Power Co, Inc. The Nancho creek project is about 12 miles upstream from the Paunglaung hydel power plant. A concrete embankment 505 feet long and 166 feet high will be built. It will be able to generate 40 MW. [See the print edition of NLM for site photos. Video footage of the visit with some good shots of the dam site is also available at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7694807271238560047. Commentary is in English.]

Kayan Women’s Union, Drowning the Green Ghosts of Kayanland: Impacts of the Upper Paunglaung Dam in Burma, June, 2008. http://www.salweenwatch.org/downloads/DrowningtheGreenGhostsEnglish.pdf

In October 2005, the Myanmar military junta infomed the KNLP that the mountains east of Pyinmana were to come under its direct control and that the KNLP should withdraw its troops from village wouth and southwest of Paunglaung valley. This order was in direct contravention of the 1994 ceasefire agreement between the KNLP and Myanmar military, and the KNLP did not immediately withdraw its troops. Shortly afterwards, in November 2005, troops of LIB 141 opened fire on the the Kayan village of Bawgahta [in the valley of the Nancho], killing a KNLP policeman and injuring a woman and a child. The incident co-incided with the move of the SPDC to the new capital of Nay Pyi Taw near Pyinmana, [15 miles to the east]. Unwilling to provoke further bloodshed, the KNLP then withdrew its troops from most of the villages to the southwest of the Paunglaung valley. After August 2006, the Myanmar Army began patrolling even more frequently these villages from the KNLP had withdrawn and established peremanent bases in the villages of Ledukaung, Bawgahta and Bawlake, south of the dam-site. [Compiler’s note: In fact, the villages mentioned in this part of the KWU report are in the upper reaches of Nancho valley closer to where the Nancho hydropower dam is under construction. For reasons not explained, this dam is not mentioned in the Green Ghosts report and the Nancho is not shown on the map on p 6 of the report.

NLM, 09/05/06. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/06nlm/n060509.htm

EPM Tin Htut and D-G Win Kyaw of the Hydropower Dept inspect the Upper Paunglong hydel power project. Site where clearing is underway. They go on to the Nancho hydel power project area and check on sites for building the power station and water intake structure. Land and timber clearing are being carried out. The Nancho hydel dam and power station will be built on Nancho creek, a tributary of the Paunglong, 12 miles upstream from the Paunglong hydel power station. Feasibility studies indicate the project will generate 40 MW. It will also regulate the flow of water into the existing Paunglaung dam.

Kayan Women’s Union, Drowning the Green Ghosts of Kayanland: Impacts of the Upper Paunglaung Dam in Burma, June, 2008. http://www.salweenwatch.org/downloads/DrowningtheGreenGhostsEnglish.pdf

Until 2004, there had been no Myanmar Army (MA) troops permanently stationed in the Upper Paunglaung area. Occasionally MA troops stationed at temporary camps south of the Upper Paunglaung valley would patrol along the valley. This was in accordance with the ceasefire signed between the Kayan New Land Party (KNLP) and the Myanmar military regime in 1994 which granted the KNLP control over the valley and sufrrounding territories in southwest Shan State. However, in February 2004, troops from LIB 606, which had been stationed at Sinkwin, four miles east of the Uppper Paunglaung dam site, set up a new camp called Kywe Yoe (“Buffalo Bone”) on a mountain at the southern end of the Paunglaung valley, six miles north of the dam site. Under threat of a cash fine or detention, these troops ordered civilians from the villages of Sinkwin, Ywagyi, Gwegon and Thinbawgon to clean land around their new camp from top to bottom of the mountain on which it was set up. Following the establishment of the base, the battalion required the villages in the Thabyegon tract to form a local militia units which had to post sentries around their villages at night and to monitor the movements of anyone traveling through the area.

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