16 August, 2018

            Notice to Proceed awarding ceremony for implementation to be carried on the Dee Doke  Hydropower Project on Myitnge River, Kyaukse District, Mandalay Region was held at Park Royal Hotel on 16^th August in the evening (06:00)pm.

            The ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Ministry of Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing, officials from Pyithu and Amyotha Hluttaws’ Electricity and Energy Development Committee and Construction, Industry, Electricity and Energy Committee, Ambassadors from respective embassies, Permanent Secretary, departmental heads, the responsible officials of companies that will implement project and special guests.

            In his opening speech,   Union Minister said that Dee Doke Hydropower Project is situated in Mandalay Region and it is not only one of the cascade projects on Myitnge River but also a powerhouse project that utilized effectively water generating from Yeywa Hydropower station. Electricity is a pivotal role in Sustainable Economic Development as well as the focus of Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (2018-2030). The electricity consumption has been rising from 13% to 15% per annum.

            In order to meet the electricity demand, efforts are making to generate, transmit and distribute throughout the entire nation by MOEE. To have access to electricity around the country by 2030, National Electrification Plan was drawn with the aid of World Bank. In order to achieve these aims, it is needed to invest much US billions and MOEE has to perform in multiple ways with the National Budget, the aids of development partners and investments from Privates, etc. MOEE can reduce the production cost only if MOEE is going to build hydropower plants in the same basin in accordance with the level.

            The main aim of the promoting electricity power is to cooperate with electricity sector and private sector. But the cooperation of private sector can cause more cost and challenges. New investments from internal and external urge all the people in project area to develop economy and create job opportunities for them. In the implementation period, they can directly and indirectly get new careers in industries and business related to the project. After exceeding the uncertain time, it is a milestone in investment sector not only for hydropower development but also for the entire electricity sector. 60 MW from this project can be supplied to National Grid in next 3 years.

            In the current processes, the budget is not needed any more and the project will be moved forward with the aid of private’s sector. The government would help and assistant to have required permit and approval. The project is one of the projects based on energy resources in the nation and the provision of assistance for socio-economic development and environmental sustainability, too. That is why, to accomplish this project, MOEE has decided to use qualified Bulb Turbines produced with high technology importing from Europe. Now, MOEE is going to implement the project with the 25 meters high embankment low dam. As Union Minister for Ministry of Electricity and Energy, it is responsible for creating an atmosphere extracting energy to be afforded by the public together with the promoting in electricity sector. Moreover, MOEE can say that a clean sheet for hydropower sector can be opened.

            Next, the attendees were shown a video clip of the Dee Doke Hydropower Project. To be carried on the project, U Tin Maung Oo, permanent secretary of Ministry of Electricity and Energy and the officials of Andritz Hydro GmbH, Kansai Electric Power and High Construction Trust Co., Ltd. signed the Notice To Proceed and then Union Minister took documentary photos with the attendees.

            The installed capacity of Dee Doke Hydropower Project is 60 MW and 298 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year will be generated in 2022. Therefore, it is a vital project for supplying electricity over 8000 MW that will become demand in 2025-2026. The electricity which will generate from the project can be supplied to 60,000 households and it is also a beneficial project for National Electrification Plan. To sum up, the project is cascade type project on Myitnge River and a powerhouse project that utilized effectively water generating from Yeywa Hydropower station.