During the second year in office of the incumbent government, the Ministry of Electricity and Energy has been building power plants, national grids and sub-power stations to meet the growing demand of electricity, to ensure power system stability and to supply power in full capacity enabling citizens and industrialists to buy electricity at reasonable price. Moreover, it is focusing on putting more money into the Treasury by producing and distributing energy.

To Double Electricity Productivity in Three Years 

        It is important to make sure that electricity is delivered to the consumers by providing excellent service, and according to estimation, electricity demand for the year from 2020 to 2021 will be 6000 megawatt. Nation’s current electricity productivity is just over 3000 megawatt and thus the ministry is putting all its energies into fulfilling the needs of people.

          “We are trying our best to tackle the problems we have been facing for over 60 years; that is to say we are looking for efficient supply chain to meet the desire of people. The nation’s power consuming is 3200 megawatt in maximum and normal use stands at 1500 megawatt. As there are 17 per cent of technical and non-technical losses, we are also seeking ways and means to mitigate these losses.” said Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing.

Growing Electricity Production

          Up to 2015-2016 Fiscal Year, there were about 46 power stations in the country. The installed capacity was 4954.1 megawatt. But the number increased to 52 in 2017-2018 FY with installed capacity of 5704.9 megawatt, according to the ministry.

          During the two year period in office, six power plants-five using natural gas and one hydropower plant-emerged in the country with the capacity of producing 750 megawatt.

          In the sector of power distribution also, 230, 132 and 66 kV power lines are transmitting power throughout the country. Within two years, 31 power lines with 1598 miles in length were erected, and 127 power substations with 2378 MVA built, the Union Minister said.

Power Supply to Northern Rakhine State

          Now, brethren in Yathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungtaw townships in northern Rakhine State are enjoying electricity transmitted from national grid through 230, 66 and 11 kVA, 100 MVA sub-power stations built in Ponnagyun Township in the state. The expansion of Ponnagyun power substation has been completed in December 2017.

          Building of Yathedaung substation with the capacity of 66/11 kV, 5 MVA was completed. The ministry also has a plan to build Buthidaung and Maungtaw power substations in the coming December. Altogether 4050 million kyat from the State budget was earmarked to construct Ponnagyun-Yathedaung-Buthidaung-Maungtaw power lines. Now, the state is spending 30355 million kyat on implementing such construction project.

Efforts to Satisfy Electricity Demand

        Electricity Supply Enterprise is endeavouring for enabling people to enjoy full electricity supply, ensuring electricity safety, mitigating power loss and reducing power outage.

          In Yangon Region where electricity is used most, measures have been taken to reduce power outage, build substations and upgrade the old ones. Seinbanmying substations in Mayangon Township and U Wisara substation in Kamaryut Township were upgraded and South Kabaraye substation was upgraded into 66 kV stations. Thanks to these efforts, Yangon dwellers enjoy full voltage of electricity supply and there was less power outage. Bearing the electrical loads and less power loss are another benefits turned out from such efforts, according to Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation.

          The government puts its focus of fulfilling electricity demand not only in Yangon but also in the whole country. The facilities of 33 kV and 11 kV lines with 6453 miles in length and the substations with the capacity of 3499 MVA are proofs of these efforts. During the two-year period 706097 households from 2718 villages enjoyed electricity and power loss can be reduced 3 per cent in the same period, said the Union Minister.

Consume and Pay

          Introducing new method of collecting electricity bill in April this year by the ministry is one of the changes aiming at contributing to the welfare of the people.

          The Union Minister said, “According to the current system applied in our country, only one meter system is used, no matter in what place it is used. This system poses no problem to the place with high demand of electricity. But a place which needs limited electricity may face unwanted expenditure. When I started assuming the duty, I introduced four systems of electricity meter. The reason why I was in a rush on that matter is that 60 per cent of our country left to enjoy electricity. This figure should not be ignored but put it at the top of the priority list”.

          The four systems of electricity meter include village meter, meter for small town, normal meter and industrial meter. Users can choose whatever they want out of the four kinds. One can consume the electricity as he wishes but pay the bill.

          Regarding to this matter, an expert explained saying that this systems is introduced by the government for the people enabling them to consume electricity systematically; that the system cultivates habit of saving power among the people; and the more volume of electricity is used the higher the bill will be, and the less the use, the more money can be saved.

Production of CNG and Petroleum Gas

        According to the statistics received from the ministry, in 2016-2017 FY, 6666.71 million cubic feet of CNG was produced and distributed and in 2017-2018 FY the volume increased to 7024.76 million cubic feet. As regard production of petroleum gas, 7866.95 metric ton was produced in 2016-2017 FY and 7123.12 metric ton in 2017-2018 FY.

Power Sector and Vision for Future

        In accordance with the guidance given by the government and in line with the policy, additional 3000 megawatt are to be produced in the next three years. As production of CNG may be decreased in 2020-2021, preventive efforts are being made to be able to supply power at the reasonable price by importing LNG. To realize the goal, agreements were signed in January 2018 with four companies which are engaged in selling electricity through Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The ministry is also aiming at transmitting power to the whole country by expanding 500 kV electrical network, As the business is behemoth which needs great investment, reliable firms with sound financial and technical backgrounds had to be chosen. Only when the country possesses high capacity in power sector, will the foreign investment flow into the country thereby raising socioeconomic standard of the nation. The Union minister said, "We never lose sight of distributing power in international standard. In doing so, the government as well as the firms are trying their best to provide excellent service to the people. Our main focus is on increasing quality and service."

New Offshore Blocks

          Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise developed 6 new blocks and drilled 51 development wells in offshore drilling during the two years. Gas production from inland and offshore areas reached 652807 million cubic feet in 2016-2017 FY and the number stood at 644761 million cubic feet in 2017-2018 FY.

          As the Yadanar Project will be completed in 2021 and its production will decrease, measures are being taken to produce natural gas from Block A-6 as much as possible in five years. To meet this goal the ministry formed joint ventures with economic firms. In 2016, Shweyeetun 1, in 2017, Pyithit 1 and Pyitharyar 1 were drilled and it is hope that these wells will produce natural gas in 2030, according to MOGE.

          As MOGE has formed joint venture with entrepreneurs for drilling at Offshore Blocks AD-7, Thalin -1(A) was drilled in 2016 January; Thalin-1(B) and Thalin-2 in February in 2017 and Khayanswe in August 2017. The ministry also said that as gas deposits are found, they are to be drilled.

Expansion of Inland Blocks

        "In terms of inland blocks, four new blocks were developed and 48 wells drilled." said the Union Minister.

          MOGE is drilling gas in 12 areas from which 6400 barrels of oil and 50 million cubic feet of natural gas a day can be produced. Seismic survey works are being carried out in Myaing area, Bogale and Labutta areas to drill oil wells. In 2018-2019 FY, an exploring well will be drilled in Myaing area especially Pondaung and Tabyin area to produce natural gas. MOGE estimates the project will produce 3 million to 5 million cubic feet of natural gas.

          An official from MOGE said, "It is planned to drill 17 development wells at oil and gas fields in 2018-2019 FY. The fields are located in Pahtoelone area, Kyaukkwek Letpanto, Htauksharbin and Myanaung oilfields and Maubin gas field. It is estimated that new development wells will produce 280 to 570 barrels of oil and 15 million to 22 million cubic feet of natural gas a day."

In Cooperation with Foreign Companies

          With the cooperation between MOGE and foreign oil companies, plans are being made to drill 15 new wells in Yenangyaung and Chauk oilfields, to implement project which will increase oil production by channeling water into the sand layer, to drill new well in Mann oilfield and two wells in Shweypythar oilfield.

Myanmar New Year and a Change

          "This year will surely bring a real change to us. Myanmar is currently producing 3000 megawatt of electricity but in the next three years, she will produce another 3000 megawatt. After handling the supply side properly, we must try in the next step to gain surplus and reserved power. To solve the problems in three years which the people have faced for years is the policy the government has laid down and this policy will be put into action. This is to overcome the difficulties immediately regarding electricity supply which people are suffering. We are trying to transform problems into happiness. Moreover constant efforts will be made to increase foreign exchange and to meet the domestic needs." explained the union minister regarding the future projects.