Holding Symposium on Energy Sector in Myanmar

21^st February 2019

              By coordination with Ministry of Electricity and Energy, the French Embassy and Business France, Symposium on Energy Sector in Myanmar was held on 21 March from 8:00am to 19:00pm at M Gallery Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.

              The ceremony was attended by H.E. U Win Khaing, Union Minister for Ministry of Electricity and Energy, H.E. Mr. Christian Lechervy, French Ambassdor to Myanmar, Deputy Minister Dr. Tun Naing, departmental heads, Business France, officials from French based organizations such as Total, AFD, SYNDICAT DES ENERGIES Renouvelables and eDF, partners from development sectors, officials from French companies who want to cooperate in electricity and energy sector and invited guests.

              Firstly, in his opening address, Union Minister H.E. U Win Khaing revealed that according to predictions based on all energy resources of US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the world energy consumption rate increases 28% and the renewable energy rate also increases about 2.3% yearly between 2015 and 2040. This increasing rate will be going to improve significantly up to 2030. Therefore, all countries around the world need to fulfill the requirement.

              Moreover, all the countries are facing the high cost in electricity generation sector in accord with floating price of fuel at present. Therefore, to reduce relying on fossil fuels, exploration of new energy and development of renewable energy will be prior sectors in the future. With the aim of sustainable and harmonious development, MOEE manages strategist and schedule for the developments in Myanmar energy and electricity sector, local energy sector requirement and the future.

              MOEE distributed electricity to only 30 per cent of Myanmar households in last years and will promote to 50 per cent at the end of 2019. MOEE has drawn plans to have 100 per cent electricity all over the nation in 2030. The electricity consumption rate has been rising from 15% to 19% per annum.

              Therefore, three electricity generation projects and a combined cycle power project with LNG as a medium term will be implemented for 3000 MW electricity needed in 2020. Above mentioned projects are planning to start after signing Notice to Proceed. On the other hand, MOEE is carrying out hydropower projects that are the least environmental impact step by step. In this doing so, some projects have already been built and some are going on feasibility state, and there are 1355 MW installed capacity in these projects. Moreover, solar energy, wind energy and other renewable energy sectors are being tested. Therefore, 40 MW solar plant project is built in Minbu Township and then the generated electricity from the plant will be connected to the National Grid for distributing electricity across the nation.

              Although there are a large number of resources in Myanmar, it is suitable to implement with the least environmental impact and to utilize the huge generation electricity resources for sustainability. MOEE aims to promote renewable energy from 8 % to 12 % in the near future. In order to distribute stable power system in power transmission sector, MOEE performs tasks like upgrading 230 kV to 500 kV power line.

              In this current week, 230 kV Line and a new substation were opened at Myawaddy where is the second largest trading town with neighbouring countries. In the future, MOEE will build 500 kV Pyidaungsu power line in East, West, South and North of the nation. In distribution sector, MOEE has been carrying out to access electricity in villages by NEP in particular and are making plans to get electricity in 10 million households from National Grid and separate grids in 2030.

              In energy sector, 51 offshore blocks and 53 local blocks were demarcated in order to explore and produce oil and natural gas. Among 53 local blocks, 14 international companies are collaborating with MOGE in exploring and drilling tasks at 21 blocks. Similarly, 18 international companies are collaborating with MOGE in exploring and dwelling tasks at 36 blocks. Moreover, natural gas 1.3 bcfd has exported to Thailand and China per day from Yadana, Yetakhon, Shwe and Zawtika, the four major platforms and 400 mmcfd for local. The current refineries and fertilizer plants owned by Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise (MPE) cannot be operated effectively because they are old, their operating efficiency is low and their production is insufficient to meet the increasing demand.

              Therefore, MOEE is making plans to invite international companies that have much experience in petrochemical enterprise and coordinate with them so as to reduce fuel imported from foreign countries, distribute standard oil to the entire nation and emerge qualified refineries and fertilizer plants. In order to deliver petroleum products in retail and wholesale, the government gave a full permission in the supply of fueling services to private sector in 2010 for the development of private sector in line with market-oriented economy, and there are over 2400 petrol stations in private sector today.

              Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), clean fuel, has been used as fuel for cooking. As today biomass fuel usage is up to 63 per cent, the rate of deforestation and environmental impact are high more and more. If LPG is substituted for biomass fuel, the deforestation and environmental impact will be conserved as much. Moreover, in urban transportation sector, MOEE starts to use LPG in a wider scale.

              Therefore, MOEE has tried to promote private participation in LPG sector and permitted licenses for importing, storing and distributing. In order to implement these works successfully, national budget and developmental aids for infrastructures are necessary.

              Private sector plays a vital role in the interest of the State. To emerge necessary investments, the pivotal key is the cooperation among the government, private sectors and development assistance coordination units. Nowadays, France partners Myanmar are supporting in the enhancement of Myanmar electricity and energy sector.

              Today ceremony will be very pleasant and effective because six separate sectors, brainstorming for promoting challenges, standard renewable energy sector, generating electricity by natural gas, development for national grid system and electricity distributing system and modern hydropower technology are going to be widely discussed. During the ceremony, we will exchange views on matters relating to the promotion of bilateral relations and cooperation, the solutions for challenges, the development of Myanmar electricity and energy sector, the 100 per cent distribution electricity and the implementation of the sustainable and harmonious development plans. In conclusion, H.E. expressed words of thanks for the honorable guests attending the ceremony, the Embassy of France and Business France Office.

              Then, the Ambassador of France to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Christian Lechervy delivered an opening speech.

              Next, Myanmar Energy and Electricity Strategy and Cooperation, National and International Funds Agencies Strategy in the region were discussed in Panel Discussion on the matters relating the opportunities to explore and produce oil and gas in Myanmar, the methods of natural gas production, the conditions for Off-Grid, the cable connection and distribution, large-scale renovation work for embankment and hydropower plants.

              Afterwards, the attendees posted for a commemorative group photo.