Electrical industry of burma/myanmar

Compiler’s Note: The paragraphs above form the main part of a feature article in the print edition of the New Light of Myanmar published on 19/11/08. The article also includes two photos of the Kamanat – Myaungdagar transmission grid and one of the switch yard in the main sub-station in Myaungdagar. Surprisingly, the article refers to the “opening” of the 230-kV grid by Minister Khin Maung Myint on 12 November. Nothing to this effect was reported in the account of the Minister’s visit to the station in NLM on 14/11/08 (see below).
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NLM, 14/11/08. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/08nlm/n081114.htm

On 12/11/08, EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint and officials of the YESB visited the main power station at Myaungdaga in Hmawby township and checked on the installation of pylons along the 230-kV Kamanat - Myaungdaga power line, the voltage at the switch yard, installation of the 230-kV power lines between Hlawga and Hlinethaya and the supply and distribution of power at the panel in the control room. Senior Engineer Saw Win Maung of MEPD reported to them on the 230-kV Kamanat- Myaungdaga power line, and arrangements for distribution of power and supply of power at the branch station in Myaungdaga. He also briefed them on the construction of pylons for the 230-kV Kamanat -Thanlyin power grid (61 miles) and the 230-kV Thanlyin -Thakayta power grid (7.5 miles).

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

Deputy Energy Minister visits the site of the No 4 Fertilizer Plant project in Myaungdaka in Hmawby township and gives instructions on the systematic spending of money in line with financial rules. During his visit he meets with technicians of the the HGCEC Co of the PRC and discusses matters regarding their qualifications, the need for constant supervision of the project and the timely arrival of machine parts for the plant.

NLM, 04/11/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs5/NLM2008-11-04.pdf

Lt-Gen Myint Swe of MoD meets with industrialists at the Myaungdaga steel IZ and views a display of the products made there. EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint reports on the 230-kV power grid between Kamanat and Myaungdaga and the construction of the sub-power stations for the grid. The transmission line is 40 miles long and altogether 186 pylons are being installed along it. The generals move on to Hlayhlaw-Inn Village where U Thein Hlaing, director of the project reports on connection of the Kamanat- Myaungdaga power grid across Yangon-Mandalay highway. [Photos of the transmission line are included in the print edition of NLM.}

NLM, 28/10/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs5/NLM2008-10-28.pdf

EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint visits the Myaungdaga main subpower station in Hmawby township and inspects the installation of the 230-kV twin-bundle, single-circuit, transmission line between Kamanat and Myaungdaga. The station is presently receiving electric power supply through the 230-kV transmission line from the Shwedaung generating plant. The Myaungdaga station is connected to the Hlawga power plant by a 230-kV transmission line. The minister checks the bus bar in the switch yard in the Myaungdaga station and local distribution of power using five 33-kV output feeders. Project Manager Saw Win Maung reports on the construction of the 186 towers along the transmission line between Kamanat and Myaungdaga, the 272 towers between Kamanat and Thanlyin and the 36 towers between Thakayta and Thanlyin. [A photo of the towers along the Kamanat - Myaungdaga transmission line is included in the print edtion of NLM.]

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

When Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the MoD visited Kamanat main subpower station of MEPE in Bago on 01/07/08. he was welcomed by EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint, D-G Tin Aung of the EPSE, Ch of YEPSB Khin Maung Soe and officials. Lt-Gen Myint Swe was briefed on the erection of concrete towers along the 61-mi-long, 230-kV Kamanat -Thanlyin main power line project and the 40-mile-long, 230-kV Kamanat – Myaungtaga power line. Pointing out that these lines were required to supply the electric power demand in Yangon, he called for speedy completion of the tasks in building them. This was necessary, he said, so that more power could be supplied to the industrial zones including Myaungtaga IZ.

NLM, 30/06/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs5/NLM2008-06-30.pdf

At a work coordination meeting organized by Yangon Division IZ Management Committee Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the MoD notes that electricity overload in Yangon city can be avoided by moving smelting plants in the city to the Myaungdaka IZ [in Hmawby township outside the city limits].

NLM, 01/05/08. http://myanmargeneva.org/NLM2008/eng/5May/n080501.pdf

Lt-Gen Myint Swe and party met with officials of the Myaungdaga IZ project in the management office of the zone in Hmawby township yesterday. At the meeting EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint Myint reported on the installation of three 100-MVA transformers, the connection of power lines in the switch yard and installation of the 230-kV power grid linking the main sub-power station at Myaungdaga with Kamanat (Bago). When the Myaungdaga Foundry IZ is finished, there will be additional power available for the people in Yangon.

Htar Htar Khin and Yi Yi Htwe, MT, 17/03/08. http://www.mmtimes.com/no410/b008.htm

A senior official of the Yangon DPDC said businesses that produce noxious fumes or excessive noise had been told to move to the Myaung Dagar Steel Industrial Zone outside the city. “We allow businesses and companies to operate by themselves but if their work negatively impacts on the public we will remove them,” he said, adding that this would provide job opportunities in the areas where they are relocated. He said that businesses with smelting operations were first on the list. “We will be removing businesses that use smelters at the end of March because the risk that they will cause a fire during dry season is too high to have them within the city,” he said. He added that there are about 50 smelters in Yangon and none of these businesses will have their operating licences renewed unless they move to Myaung Dagar. To house these operations, the DHSHD has 56 plots measuring 7200 square feet, and 85 at 4800 square feet, already prepared in the IZ.

NLM, 28/11/07. www.myanmargeneva.org/07nlm/n071128.htm

EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint inspected the upgrading of the power station, the 230-kV input power feeder and the 33-KV output feeder at the switch yard and the distribution of power at 230/33/11-kV (60 MVA) at the main power station near the Yangon-Pyay road in Hmawby township. In the control room of the station, Manager Saw Win Maung and Director Thein Hlaing of the Power Supply (South) Project of MEPE, Chief Engineer U Tin Maung Tun, MD Tin Aung of EPSE and U Kyaw Myint, head of the main power station at Myaungdagar, reported on arrangements for upgrading the Myaungdagar station. The minister said that the Myaungdagar main power station was important in supplying power to the Myaungdagar Steel Industrial Zone.

NLM, 18/09/07. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/07nlm/n070918.htm

Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the MoD and senior military officers inspected Myaungdaga Steel Industrial Zone that is being developed by the DHSHD in Hmawby township. The 1,015.57-acre zone is being set up in three phases and will produce iron rods necessary for national development tasks. At the management office of the zone, DHSHD D-G Aung Win reported on construction of earth and concrete roads, arrangements for construction of sluice gates, installation of power lines, environmental conservation and communications measures as well as the sale of plots of land and payments for them. EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint reported on power supply and installation of 230-kV power lines. Lt-Gen Myint Swe said the zone will supply ironware to meet local demand. In the long run import of other iron products wil be cut. He spoke of the need for industrialists to invest in the industrial zone.

NLM, 25/07/07. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/07nlm/n070725.htm

At the main sub-power station in Kamanat, in East Bago, EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint is briefed on arrangements to connect the main sub-power station in Kamanat to Myaungdaga sub-power station in Hmawby with 230-KV cables.

NLM, 19/02/07. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/07nlm/n070219.htm

Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the MoD and party visited the site of the Myaungdaga industrial zone where U Aung Win, director-general of the DHSHD reported on earth work, the construction of roads and two bridges, as well as arrangements for power supply, construction of sluice gates and the sale of plots in the zone. Project Director Thein Hlaing and Chief Engineer Tun Aye of Yangon City Power Supply Committee briefed them on electric power supplied by Myaungdaga sub-power station and EPM No 2 Khin Maung Myint on the laying of cables that will connect the Shwetaung and Myaungdaga sub-power stations. D-G Hla Myint Maung of the WRUD reported on the supply of water from Myaungdaga Kankalay river-water pumping station and Deputy Minister for Energy Than Htay on the implementation of No 4 Fertilizer Plant. Gen Myint Swe said that the industrial sector had contributed 18.9pc of the national GDP in 06-07 up from 17.5pc the year before. Myaungdaga IZ will give added impulse to the industrial sector, he said. The Myaungdaga zone has an area of 632.96 acres.

NLM, 22/01/07. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/07nlm/n070122.htm

MEPE and IGE Pte Ltd signed an agreement for the import of materials to build the Myaungdaga sub-power station at the office of EPM-2 in Nay Pyi Taw on 18/01/07.

Zaw Htet, Myanmar Times, 14/08/06. [Issue 329 of the MT is not available on-line.]

Prices for plots at the new Myaung Dagar Steel Industrial Zone have been approved and sales will commence August 20, the DHSHD announced. U Myint Swe, deputy director from the department said prices would be K16 million per acre. U Myint Swe last week said that 50 people had so far proposed to buy 80 acres at the zone which comprises 398 plots on 1092 acres. “The first ones in will get the chance to secure well-positioned plots, which are those that are more easily accessible and on higher land,” he said. As the zone was developed on former paddy fields, lower plots flood easily and will require greater investment from buyers to raise surfaces. U Myint Swe added that the department would give priority in purchasing plots to companies currently involved in the steel industry, for whom the zone is designed. “There will be a regular electricity supply and both road and water transport options available,” he said.

Zaw Htet, Myanmar Times, 24/07/06. [Issue 326 of the MT is not available on-line.]

U Myint Swe, a deputy director from the DHSHD under the Ministry of Construction, said infrastructure for the Myaung Dagar Steel Industrial Zone zone had been completed in June. The 1092-acre zone is located 58 kilometres (36 miles) north of Yangon next to the Yangon-Pyay highway and comprises 398 plots. “As the zone is completely focussed on steel production, we can meet its particular needs,” U Myint Swe said. “For example, steel producing factories are high power consumers. So we have planned to install a good, regular electricity system that includes dual supplies – hydropower and gas turbine power. The factories in this zone won’t need their own generators, which results in paying more (for electricity),” he said. “As the zone is located between the Yangon-Pyay highway and the Hlaing River, both cars and ships can be used to transport raw materials and products.” Keeping steel-producing factories away from heavily populated areas was in the public’s interest, U Myint Swe said. “They usually produce pollution. That’s why we chose Myaung Dagar, away from populated areas, to build the steel production zone.” There are currently steel plants in the Shwepyithar and Hlaing Tharyar industrial zones. “We won’t force them to move to Myaung Dagar,” U Myint Swe said. “However, I would like to encourage them to invest in the zone because I am sure it will develop quickly in the near future.”

DVB, 13/07/06. http://www.burmanet.org/news/2006/07/13/

Nearly 200 farmers from Hmawbi township report that measures to confiscate 1700 acres of paddy fields in Myaungtaka, Kankalay and Kalakone hamlets in the township were initiated by Quarter Master Maj-Gen Tin Hla on 19/09/05. According to the farmers they have received no compensation for the land which was supposed to be needed for an extension to No 2 Steel Factory. Instead of addressing the grievances of the farmers, the local authorities and the factory officials confiscated another 500 acres of paddy fields from the farmers early in 2006 which they sold to property developers leaving the farmers jobless and homeless.

Maw Maw San and Ye Lwin, Myanmar Times, 20/03/06 [Issue 309 of the MT is not available on-line.]

Plots of land at the new ironworks-dedicated Myaungdakar Industrial Zone in Hmawbi township will go on sale at the end of March. The new industrial estate covers 1192 acres, of which 843 acres will be available once basic infrastructure such as roads and drains have been developed. 401 plots of 8000 square feet each will be put on offer. According to U Myint Swe, deputy director of the DHSHD, the first phase of construction of the industrial zone which started in mid-2005 is expected to be completed in May. . “The factories built in this industrial zone will be provided with natural gas in addition to electricity for the full operation of the iron foundries,” U Myint Swe said. The Myaungdakar zone is scheduled to be fully completed in 2007 and will be the fourth ironworks industrial zone in Myanmar.

Xinhua: 15/11/05. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200511/15/eng20051115_221349.html

Myanmar is planning to set up a new industrial zone for heavy industry production, according to the Flower News published in Yangon. Citing local entrepreneurs, the news journal reported that the IZ would be in Myaungdaka in Hmawby township near an area where a steel mill is already in place. A total of 405 hectares is being reclaimed which will be allotted to national business interests to set up factories. The location was selected because the area has an abundance of electricity and the raw material produced in the steel mill already in operation can be easily utilized, the sources said.

NLM, 25/03/04. http://www.myanmargeneva.org/04nlm/n040325.htm

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-stations for the Myaungtaka-Hlinethaya-Yekyi project.

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BIOGAS PRODUCTION AND ENGINE CONVERSION TO BIOGAS

Seint Thandar Tun, Jurnal Ilmiah Teknik Energi (Indonesia), February 2008, 12pp.

http://jurnal.pdii.lipi.go.id/admin/jurnal/16081328.pdf

The author is with the Dept of Mechanical Engineering, Mandalay Technological University.

This is a technical paper written for those involved in developing biogas fuelled lighting systems in rural areas of developing countries like Myanmar. It describes two processes: 1) the production of biogas from cow dung using a digester; and 2) the conversion of a diesel-fueled engine to biogas.
A fixed dome digester with a tank volume of 50 cubic metres of biogas designed by Mya Mya Oo of Yangon University was selected for illustrative purposes. A detailed diagram of the digester is included. Among its advantages over floating gas holder and flexible bag digesters are its low initial cost, its long life span, its compact design and its ability to produce gas at a lower temperature. Information on the feedstock and operation of the digester is provided.
The more interesting part of this paper has to do with its discussion of converting diesel engines to biogas. “Diesel engines can be converted to full biogas operation by lowering the compression ratio and installation of a spark ignition system. The use of diesel engine in rural settings in Myanmar is widespread and modifications can easily be made locally. The paper analyzes and illustrates three different methods by which the compression ratio can be reduced in a diesel engine when converting for use by natural gas.
For purposes of testing and on the recommendation of experienced designers, a four-stroke, ZH1115 diesel engine was chosen for conversion and modified to allow for 30 inlet holes for the natural gas. The engine was used to drive a 15-kVA generator. At about 1500 rpm, the engine produced the maximum power. The electricity produced was sufficient to light up 350 20-watt bulbs, ten 21-inch TV and video sets continuously for about six hours a day. Fuel consumption was nine cubic metres of gas per hour. Construction costs for the biogas plant were in the range of 300-400,000 kyat. It is estimated that the these costs could be recovered in about a year and a half by charging 600 kyat (about US$ 0.50) for each fluorescent lamp used. Approximately one hundred villages throughout Myanmar were using biogas-fueled operating systems at the time the article was written.
Additional references
See below: ‘Biogas power plants supply electricity to rural areas (Myanmar Times: 16/08/04)
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ADDITIONAL HYDROPOWER GENERATION PLANNED FOR PUTAO

NLM, 25/01/08. http://burmalibrary.org/docs4/NLM2008-01-25.pdf

During a visit to Putao in northern Kachin state, PM Thein Sein is informed by D-G Aung Koe Shwe of HPID that Namhtut hydropower station in Putao is currently generating 200 kW. However, on completion of a diversion dam on Nam Hkamti creek, three miles west of Putao, the station will be able to double its generating capacity to 400 kW.
Irrigation Dept D-G Khin Zaw reports that arrangements are being made to generate four megawatts of electricity at a dam that is planned three miles upstream from the Namhtut hydropower station. Diversion weirs on Nampalak and Mulashedi creeks and the Malikha river in the Putao district have already opened up an additional 1,800 acres for irrigated cultivation and there are plans for three more weirs that will be able to irrigate another 7,000 acres.
The Prime Minister says that ways and means must be found to encourage tourism in the scenic Putao area by building roads and bridges and developing communications services and the power supply. He and his party proceed to the recently opened Malikha tourist lodge near the Mulashedi suspension bridge across the Namlang river.
Topographic map reference: Burma 1:250,000: Series U542, U.S. Army Map: NG 47-01: This map is good for locating many of the place names mentioned in the Putao area. Note the Nam Hkamti and Nam Tungni creeks just to the west of town. Mulashidi creek on this map is the Nam Lang and the village of Mulashidi is identified as Man Namhoi.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/burma/txu-oclc-6924198-ng47-1.jpg
Additional references
NLM, 10/04/04. http://burmalibrary.org/docs/NLM2004-04-10.pdf

Northern Commander Maung Maung Swe attends the opening of the Namhton [Namhtut] hydroelectric power station in Tonlitu Village, Putao Township, on 02/04/04. After a report on the construction of the power station, it is formally opened the plant and the power line is launched. The next day, the Commander observes the milling of paddy with the use of hydel power and the generating of electricity at a paddy husk-fired power plant in Hokho ward of Putao. On 04/04/04, he inspects the Putao hydroelectric power plant and and a lake in Duttan [Dothtan] village.

JICA, MEPE, Nippon Koei, Institute of Energy Economics Japan, The Study on Introduction of Renewable Energies in Rural Areas in Myanmar: Final Report: Volume 2: Appendix-A: Project Sheet, pp 21,29, September 2003.

http://lvzopac.jica.go.jp/external/library?func=function.opacsch.mmdsp&view=view.opacsch.mmindex&shoshisbt=1&shoshino=0000159771&volno=0000000000&filename=11734092_05.pdf&seqno=5

A Japanese team carrying out a rural electrification survey in Burma/Myanmar reports that there is one mini-hydro station in Putao that is supplying only the central part of the town of Putao. The team visited the Namhtun power station, seven miles from the town centre, on 12/03/01. At the time the station was equipped with one 100-kW generator and one 60-kW generator. The 100-kW machine was procured for another site and was over-sized in its present setting, the survey team reported. There was also a rice husk gas engine that was powering the rice mill in Putao at the time the team visited. Other sources of electricity in the town were small diesel generators and batteries. However, batteries were rarely transported to the Putao area since they could not be air-cargoed due to safety restrictions. The team concluded that villages in the upper part of Kachin state would remain unelectrified for decades, unless strategic support was provided through the use of rice-husk gas engine and solar battery charging systems.

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MORE GAS TO BE DIVERTED FROM YADANA FOR NATIONAL USE

Kyaw Thu, MT, 14/01/08. http://www.mmtimes.com/no401/b002.htm

The government is planning to increase natural gas production at the Yadana gas field, an energy specialist close to the Ministry of Energy said on January 7. The specialist said a new compressor has been installed at the site in a bid to increase production. “The Yadana gas project will produce an additional 90 million cu ft of gas a day (mmcfd) for domestic production,” he said. However, he refused to say when this increased production would begin and what industries in Yangon would receive the gas.
The Yadana project exports 600mmcfd to Thailand and supplies about 100mmcfd for domestic use. This will increase to 190mmcfd when the increased supplies begin filtering through. State-run NLM reported on 28/12/07 that repair work on the project was underway – with increased production in mind. The report listed January 7 as the expected completion date.
Even though the government is building large numbers of hydropower electricity projects to meet domestic energy demands, gas still plays a crucial role in electricity supply. Yangon relies heavily on gas supplies for electricity generation during the summer as the power production from the hydropower plants declines by 30-40 percent. According to the New Light of Myanmar, the government planned the repairs to the Yadana project to avoid affecting Yangon’s power supplies during the summer. EPM No 1 figures show that natural gas driven power stations contribute 40pc of the nation’s electrical power.
Dr Maung Aung, an economist and researcher on Myanmar’s economy, said the country should use natural gas to supply regular electricity, which will help to develop the industrial and production sectors. “Electricity plays a key role in a country’s sustainable development. One of the main issues that delays our country’s development is the shortage of electricity. We should use natural gas and the income earned from selling it, to set up power plants to supply regular electricity,” he said.
In addition, much of Yangon’s transport system – especially buses – runs on compressed natural gas. This gas comes from Myanmar’s offshore gas fields, including the Yadana project. Several important industries also use natural gas to operate, including fertiliser plants and cement factories, both of which underpin important sectors of the economy.