Electrical industry of burma/myanmar

, the authors of the ‘Khoe Kay’ report contend that “there is little in the way of past success in overcoming the impacts of dam construction to terrestrial ecosystems. If the [proposed] dams are constructed on the Salween river, . . . similar impacts will occur as have been seen elsewhere and related in the WCD report. (p.62) “The WCD report indicated that dams produce emissions of greenhouse gases, and these may be a significant contribution to climate change. . . . Given the tropical location of the Salween River and the nature of the link between dams and climate change more study of these impacts is necessary prior to beginning dam construction. (p.62)
“Perhaps the most destructive element of the dams proposed for the Salween River is the cumulative impact of building five dams in Burma and up to 13 more in China. The ecological impact of multiple dams on large river is unequivocally bad.” (p.66) The WCD report found that within a river basin, “the greater the number of dams, the greater the fragmentation of river ecosystems”.
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MOTOR AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE FACTORIES OPENED IN INDAGAW

NLM, 21/03/06. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/06nlm/n060321.htm

The Ministry of Industry-2 opened its motor and electrical appliance factories in Indagaw IZ in Bago township, today. Accompanied by Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence and officials, SPDC Secretary No 1 Thein Sein heard a report on the production of disc wheels, water tanks, bearings, inlet and aluminum cables, 18-hp diesel engines for power tillers and generators and auto parts presented by Minister for Industry No 2 Saw Lwin. He also briefed the Lt-Gen Thein Sein and party on the operations of the ministry’s existing factories, its research and development project and on the new electric motor and auto-used electrical apparatus factories.
In response, the Secretary-1 said that adequate investment and technology is required in setting up industries for national development. The country is in the process of developing the various economic sectors with agriculture as the base. Farm machines are required to reach the goal and for farm mechanization. The ministry should strive for mass production of farm machinery and trucks. While the Ministry of Industry No 2 needs advanced machinery it also needs qualified technicians and should conduct training programmes for the staff. The machines manufactured should meet the required standards and the ministry should make efforts to run the factories at full capacity. The staff should make constant supervision to minimize loss and wastage due to negligence and misconduct. It should also introduce innovative methods to run the machines it produces with biodiesel extracted from physic nut oil. Research is needed to ensure the new machine can run on bio diesel. Afterwards he inspected the machinery being used to convert diesel engine to operate on physic nut oil engine and test-running of engines and tractors using physic nut oil.
Next, the opening ceremony of the motor factory of Myanma Machine Tool and Electrical Industries was held at the factory. MD of MMTEI U Kyaw Win, MD of Myanma Industrial Construction Services U Aung Kyi and V-P of Angelique International Ltd of India Pradeep Kumar Arya formally opened the factory. It is expected to produce 30,000 single-phase electric motors and 10,000 three-phase motors in a year.
Afterwards, the electrical equipment factory of the MMTEI was formally opened and Secretary No 1 inspected the production process of the factory. It s expected to manufacture 10,000 starter motors and 10,000 alternators for tractors, trucks and jeeps, 5,000 pieces of ignition coil and 5,000 pieces of electronic fuel pump for petrol cars per year. Lt-Gen Thein Sein and party also went to the aluminium wires factory and inspected its production process. The factory can produce 1,600 tons of wires a year.
Additional references
NLM, 19/11/05. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/05nlm/n051119.htm

In the compound of the Ministry of Industry No 2 on Kaba Aye Pagoda road, PM Soe Win and party were conducted around the booth of MMTEI where a 5-kw hydel power generator to be used with a 15-foot-high water fall, a 40-kw hydel power turbine to be used with a 60-foot-high water fall, and 60-kw and 200-kw hydel power turbines to be used with 120-feet-high water falls were on display. A Francis water turbine Model-HL-160-WJ-42 that can be used at a 130-foot-high water level was also displayed, as were various capacity motors manufactured by the electric motor factory in Indagaw. An ignition coil, fuel pump, alternator and starter motor manufactured at the automobile electronics factory in Indagaw as well as single-phase 2-wire electric meters and triple-phase 4-wire meters produced at the electric meters factory in Sinde in Padaung township were also on display.

See below ‘Cable factory and foundry opened in Indagaw industrial zone (NLM: 04/04/05)
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DELTA HOLDS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR TIDAL POWER GENERATION

Voice Weekly, 13/02/06, as excerpted in the Myanmar Times, 20/02/06.

(Compiler’s note: Issue 305 of the Myanmar Times is not available on-line.)
A report in Voice journal said Myanmar had great potential geographically for the generation of large amounts of electricity from tidal movements, owing to more than 1700 miles of coastline and vast delta areas. The Myanmar Engineering Society had already succeeded in building two hydroelectric facilities powered by tides in the Ayeyarwaddy division town of Ngaputaw in 2005, it said. The report also said the generator could be operated for two six-hour periods each day when the tide was going out, adding that the capacity of electricity generation depended on the difference of the water level between high and low tide, with a greater difference translating into more power generation.
Additional references
Xinhua: 12/03/09.

http://www.macaudailytimesnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24005&Itemid=32

A project implemented by the Myanmar Engineering Society to apply the force 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.

Htar Htar Khin, Myanmar Times, 16/06/08. http://www.mmtimes.com/no423/b006.htm

Myanmar Engineering Society (MES) and the Ministry of Energy have chosen three entrants for ASEAN energy management awards, which will be handed out in August. . . . Among the three is the tidal power project underway in Kanbalar village in Ngaputaw township, Ayeyarwady Division, which has been nominated in the rural electrification category.

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Win Khaing, Renewable Energy and Rural Development in Myanmar, pp 33-42. Presentation made at TCDPAP & FIDIC/ASPAC) Conference (22-25/04/08) in Seoul. Edited.

www.mes.org.mm/.../RE%20&%20Rural%20%20Development23April%2008,%20Seoul.pdf

Myanmar has more than 2800 km of coastline with numerous small creeks suitable for harnessing tidal energy where there is a difference between high and low tides of one to six metres. With the application of appropriate technology the tidal currents could be harnessed for the generation of electrificity in villages which are remote from the national grid along the coast of Myanmar.

The village of Kanbalar in Ngapudaw township in the delta area of Ayeyarwaddy division with 220 households and a population of 1,200 was chosen as the site for a tidal generation project. It is about 150 km from the nearest grid connection. It was decided to use an old style barrage to suit local conditions and the facilities available in Myanmar. A small earthen dam about three metres high and 10 metres wide was constructed across the branch of the creek. A wooden open channel 0.35m high by 0.35m wide by 8m in length was connected to a turbine casing through the outlet gate. A draft tube was installed at the outlet of turbine. The intake-exit channel which is about 20m far from the dam if 80 ft long, one metre high and one metre wide. The sluice gate is 1.2 m by 1.1 m. The spillway near the intake structure is 0.70m by 0.70 m.
According to available discharge 10,117 m3 and with turbine flow rate Q = 0.3 m3 /sec, operation time can be around 10 hrs with a full load. During actual performance, because of variation in tide level, for six hours the consumption is only 1/12 of available discharge. That leads to possibility of running ten turbines working in parallel. The cost for turbine and accessories is only US$ 500. The necessary carpentry works and earth works were carried out by volunteers from the village. The generating hours daily are the times between high and low tides. So there are approximately six hours each for purposes between the two tides everyday for purposes of generation. Day time generation is used to charge the batteries, night time generation is used for direct lighting. The generator used has a single phase permanent magnetic type alternator. Material had be chosen for its resistance to saline water.
Compiler's note: The pictures and diagrams which accompanied this part of the presentation at the Seoul conference are not available in the html version usually available on the Net. Check the website of the Myanmar Engineering Society for the pdf www.mes.org.mm/ For a brief and well-illustrated explanation of how a tidal barrage works, see Wikipedia entry for ‘tidal power’. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_power

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Flower News weekly journal, 04/05/05, as excerpted in the Myanmar Times, 09/05/05 (Issue 265)

http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs3/MT265.htm

A group of Myanmar engineers has succeeded in generating electricity from tidal movements in the Ayeyarwaddy delta, reports Flower News journal. The report said the group began working on the K500,000 project early this year at Kabala village in Ngaputaw township, about 75 km from the coast. Residents helped the project by building a dam filled by the incoming tide that drives a three-kw turbine. The generator operates twice a day for six hours when the tide is going out. The project took a month to complete and the electricity is being provided to the village. It was initiated by the Yangon branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association and funded by the engineers. The group plans to install a total of 10 turbines at the site. The report said there were many villages in delta area of Ayeyarwaddy division with the potential to generate electricity from tidal movements. [Compiler’s note: This section of the Myanmar Times Issue no 265 is no longer available on-line.]

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CALL FOR ENERGY CO-OPERATION

Khin Hnin Phyu, Manmar Times, 13/02/06

(Compiler’s note: Issue 304 of the Myanmar Times is no longer available on-line)
The director-general of the Energy Ministry’s Planning Dept, U Soe Myint, has stressed the need for co-operation between the gov’t and private organisations to help develop renewable energy technologies in Myanmar. He said many sectors in Myanmar, including gov’t, NGOs and private organisations, were interested in promoting wider application of renewable energy technologies.
He was speaking on February 5 on the second day of a two-day paper reading conference organised by Myanmar Engineering Society at the Myanmar Info-Tech building in Yangon. “There is much potential and capability in this field but we lack mutual co-ordination,” U Soe Myint said, adding that co-operation among the various sectors would boost manufacturing capacity, reduce the cost of renewable technologies and enable Myanmar to cope with rising fossil fuel costs and environmental pollution.
The general secretary of the society, U Win Khaing – whose paper was based on the country report he presented at recent ASEAN and Bay of Bengal Initiative regional meetings – said Myanmar had abundant sources of renewable energy. These included hydro, biomass, solar, tidal and wind power, he said. Myanmar produced an abundance of agricultural residue, including rice husks and livestock waste, that can be used to generate biomass energy, said U Win Khaing.
Meanwhile, many small hydropower plants, as well as biogas and tidal power systems, have already been established in the country by local experts and organisations, he said. He said many programs to promote renewable energy have been established by various government ministries, co-operatives, private sector interests and NGOs, but there is “no focal body or national policy at this time to co-ordinate and concentrate all of these resources”. “A national policy on renewable energy is urgently needed if Myanmar is to comply with ASEAN expectations for member countries to get 10pc of its required energy from renewable sources by 2015,” U Win Khaing said.
Additional references
See above: ‘Energy workshop promotes small-scale electricity generation’ (MT: 13/02/12)

See below: 'Private Sector Promoting Interest in Renewable Energy' (MT: 12/07/04)

'Rural Areas Encouraged to Make Greater Use of Renewable Energy' (MT: 05/01/04)
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NATIONAL UPDATE ON ELECTRIC POWER PLANTS

NLM, 18-22/01/06. www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs2/NLM2006-01-18.pdf

www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs2/NLM2006-01-19.pdf

www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs2/NLM2006-01-20.pdf

www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs2/NLM2006-01-21.pdf

www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs2/NLM2006-01-22.pdf
Compiler’s note: This five-part series was published on successive days in the New Light of Myanmar under the title: 'Electric power sector witnesses sustained progress: Increased generating of power in the time of the Tatmadaw Government'. Tables accompanying the articles provide lists of power plants already operating, under construction or in planning. Good photos accompany each article. Otherwise, there is very little new information in this series. Any new facts from the series are included with the appropriate articles throughout the compendium.
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INDUSTRIALISTS URGED TO DIVERSIFY PRODUCTION

Ye Lwin, Myanmar Times, 09/01/06.

(Compiler’s note: Issue 299 of the Myanmar Times is no longer available on-line.)
The industrial sector has been urged by the Government to advance its position alongside other economic sectors, such as the agricultural and service sectors, and play a more dominant role in Myanmar’s economic growth. Speaking at the 12th annual general meeting of the Myanmar Industrial Association (MIA) in December, Lt-Gen Myint Swe, chairman of Yangon DPDC, said diversifying Myanmar’s economic base was a key platform to growth. Myanmar’s economy is currently largely dependent on the agricultural sector, which accounts for more than 50pc of gross domestic product (GDP), Myint Swe said. “The development of industry plays an important role in achieving economic growth and becoming a developed nation.” he said.
MIA president U Myat Thin Aung said the industrial sector contributed 9pc of GDP in fiscal 2004/05 of which 72pc was contributed by the private business sector. As the majority of Myanmar’s industrial exports were raw materials or semi-finished products, more emphasis should be placed on producing fully-manufactured goods for export, he said. The MIA was established in 1993 to represent private sector industrialists and has 3,100 members, up from 2,900 in 2004.
Lt-Gen Myint Swe said that import substitution measures currently in place were meant to stimulate the domestic production of agricultural machinery, consumer goods and food that were previously being imported. Eighteen industrial zones had been established throughout the country to promote the industrial sector and create job opportunities, he said. “At present, the most important thing for the industrial zone is to get an adequate electricity and fuel supply,” said the general. More than 450 MW of electricity are needed for the 10 industrial zones and residents in the Yangon are but only 420 MW is currently being provided. Only 380 MW can be applied at a time. “Projects are underway to provide 5,000 MW nationwide, not only for consumption by the industrial sector but also for domestic, personal consumption. So far, more than 840 megawatts can be provided across the country,” Lt-Gen Myint Swe said.
Additional references
NLM, 06/07/08. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs5/NLM2008-07-06.pdf

PM Thein Sein, accompanied by the director-general of the Government Office and dept heads visits the factory of the Myanmar Lighting Manufacturing Co Ltd in the Shwepyitha IZ. They are welcomed there by Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the MoD, Chairman of Yangon DPDC Win Myint, Yangon Mayor Aung Thein Lin and officials, Chairman Sein Wam of Mynamar Lighting and responsible persons. The PM is briefed on production at the factory by U Sein Wan, on the supply of electricity by U Khin Maung Soe of the YESB and on arrangements for the factory building by D-G Aung Win of DHSHD. In response to the reports, the PM explains that power generated by hydropower projects will be supplied to the factories in the IZs. Industrialists are to strive to develop sound agrobased industries that will foster the the economic growth of the State. Priority is being given to the emergence of national industries and industrial zones have been set up to promote ithe industrial development. of Technical universities have been established to produce the needed intelligentsia for the industrial sectors. Industrialists are to redouble their efforts to keep abreast of all the latest industrial developments. The PM urges industrialists to produce high-quality and low priced items for domestic and global markets.

NLM, 21/04/04. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/04nlm/n040421.htm

At a meeting of the MIDC, Lt-Gen Soe Win, chairman, said that during the current five-year plan, the industrial sector development had grown by 21.8pc in fiscal 2001-2002; 26.8pc in 2002-2003; and 22.6pc in 2003-2004. Over 100,000 private factories are employing over 2 million workers. Ninety per cent of the private sector industries are small or medium enterprises. Only when SMEs are promoted will it be possible to change from an agro-based economy to being an agro-based industrial nation. Myanmar should not be content with an annual increase of 10pc - 20pc in the industrial sector. The goal is to raise the industrial production at high pace beginning with the current five-year plan; and to markedly increase its participation in the national economy. All the needed infrastructures have been built to reach this end. Some large hydel power projects will be completed in 2004, while others will be completed in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. The electricity needed for industrial development has been generated. During the current economic plan, the Government has been giving priority to the development of the electric power sector in accord with the extension of the industrial sector. Discussions will have to be made to materialize the motto - leapfrog with the might of industrial power.

Irrawaddy Magazine, September 2003. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=3049

The bulk of Burma’s private manufacturing firms are small- and medium-sized light industrial operations. Using labor-intensive methods, they provide products for the domestic market. "There is considerable domestic purchasing power," a business journal editor explains. "Burma’s industry is not able to meet domestic demands for soap and medicine." Shortages of capital and the lack of foreign currency are two obstacles to the development of industry. Low production standards are also affecting industrial growth and the development of new export markets. The owner of an electrical equipment factory in Rangoon explains: "We don’t have any processes for quality standards on our products. Because we produce cable wires for the domestic market, we don’t have to worry about meeting standards." The factory owner knows that shoddy wires can be dangerous for customers, but he argues that testing procedures at the government’s Electric Inspection Dept are obsolete. "For some products, they don’t even have testing equipment. We could never export our products," he adds. Lack of technology is also a significant factor in Burma’s stunted industrial growth. Observers point out that Burma’s technological level is poised at the mechanical stage, and that the country has yet to enter the electronic age. Factory owners say the biggest problem is constant power shortages. A Rangoon plastic manufacturer describes his frustration at running a machine for extruding plastic. "When the power is cut off suddenly, the machine stops and we lose everything -- money, time, raw material -- and we waste labor." He says that while the government claims to be providing enough electricity for the whole country, capacities are far too low for heavy machinery.

NLM: 30/03/02. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/02nlm/n020330.htm

At a meeting of the MIDC, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, V-C of the Central Committee for Industrial Development, said that development in the nation’s industrial zones had fallen short of expectations, [even though] the Ministry of Finance and Revenue had extended loans to industries and the Ministries of Industry had provided technical assistance, machinery and raw materials. For its part, the State had given special priority to agro-based industries, machinery producing industries and import-substitute industries, [but] the industrialists would have to increase investments and introduce innovative means as well as nurture human resources and develop technologies.

NLM, 13/08/99. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/99nlm/n990813.htm

At a meeting of the Central Committee for Industrial Development, General Maung Aye chairman, said encouragement is to be given to private industrialists to establish industries in the industrial zones. Priority is to be given to the development of industries contributing to mechanized farming, industries manufacturing machinery and equipment and import-substitute industries. Exemption from some forms of taxation is to be granted and for reduction of other taxes. The interest rate for loans disbursed by the banks for [industrial] investment is to be reduced.

NLM, 15/06/99. http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/99nlm/n990615.htm

Minister for Industry No 1 Aung Thaung met with industrial entrepreneurs in Hlinethaya Industrial City. He said Myanmar is changing from manual to mechanized agriculture. The Myanma Industrial Development Committee (MIDC) had been formed [to guide] the development of the industrial sector in line with [these changes in] agriculture. He also spoke of the need to produce personal goods to meet the demand of the increasing population, urging the industrialists to produce quality goods which meet market requirements. The entrepreneurs presented their requirements and the minister gave suggestions.

See below: ‘Impact of unreliable power supply on industrialization in Myanmar’ (IDE: 10/05)

See also other entries under ‘Industrial Use of Electricity’. IU

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POWER CUTS AFFECT ECONOMY IN RANGOON

Aye Aye Win, AP, 04/01/06. www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=5335

A shortage of funds, lack of rainfall and rising demand for energy have resulted in frequent power cuts in Burma’s capital, disrupting livelihoods and affecting the economy. Rangoon, a city of some 5 million residents, needs 450 megawatts of electricity daily, but generating capacity at present stands at only 385 megawatts, according to the local journal Weekly Eleven, which quoted the military commander of the Rangoon region General Myint Swe.
An official of the Electric Power Department said that electricity rationing began in several parts of the city in mid-December and could last until June, a month after the monsoon rains set in. Last year regular power cuts began on March 26 and lasted until June 28, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He said the generators at the Lawpita hydroelectric plant could not operate at full capacity due to lack of rainwater in the reservoir, while others are broken down and cannot be repaired for lack of funds. Shortage of natural gas has shut down some gas-powered generators. Lawpita, located 210 miles (350 kilometers) north of Rangoon, is one of the main sources of electricity for the city.
The cuts and brownouts have affected everyone from noodle vendors to apartment block dwellers. "Some of my fish perished when the water heater, oxygen pumps and water purifier stopped during a blackout," said Tun Tun, the owner of pet fish shop. Other small-time businessmen, many of whom can't afford their own generators, said damage to their businesses was particularly acute since the timing of the power cuts was unpredictable.
"On the days when we have no electricity in the day time, we have to get up at midnight to fill our water tanks. When everyone begins to draw water at the same time, there's often an electric overload and it damages water pumps," said Aung Myint, who lives in an apartment. "The timing of electricity supply and timing of government water supply has to coincide. Otherwise, we have to buy water to fill up our water tanks," said another Rangoon resident who relies on the government water supply which he said is available only between 6:00 am and 12:00 pm in his neighborhood.
In neighborhoods spared power cuts, brownouts occur frequently, with the voltage as low as 150 volts, rendering most electrical and electronic appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners inoperable without voltage regulators and other specialized equipment. But power rationing does not affect so-called “VIP areas” -- main roads and residential areas where senior government and military officials reside. Some expatriates who used to prefer living in quiet residential areas now seek out these areas or hotels and service apartments which have their own high-powered backup generators.
The power cuts aren't new. The military regime has been distributing electricity under a rationing system for the past eight years, barely keeping up with rising demand. Total national output of electricity is 845 MW, less than the installed capacity of 1,200 MW and short of the country's electricity needs. The crisis is exacerbated by the draining of foreign exchange reserves needed to buy fuel and spare parts for antiquated generators. Among the only people benefiting are entrepreneurs who sell electric generators and candles. But use of candles among the many poor who live in wood and thatched huts makes their neighborhoods particularly vulnerable to fires. Carrying loudspeakers on vehicles during the dry season, officials warn residents of the danger of blazes in their homes.