Plans are underway to implement about 100 solar mini-grids in rural areas this year, said the Director-General Khant Zaw from the Department of Rural Development to The Daily Eleven.

The government had so far provided solar electrification systems to about 2,000 villages to provide access to power supply over the last three years.

Other solar mini-grids are being built in 85 villages.

“We have initiated solar mini-grids in 85 villages. We plan to implement about 100 solar mini-grids in rural areas. However, it is very difficult to guess at the results of the tender bidding system. For solar mini-grid projects, we are going to submit the proposals. About 2,000 villages and 150,000 households have been electrified per year under the projects. Now, over 300,000 households have access to electricity with the usage of solar mini-grids within three years. The World Bank supported with US$ 90 million loan for the Myanmar National Electrification Plan. We have used US$ 68 million for electrification including mini-grids in the last three years. We are going to use the remaining amount at further implementation of mini-grids in the next two years,” said DG Khant Zaw.

The Rural Development’s mini-grid programs are part of the World Bank-supported Myanmar National Electrification Plan 2030 that aims to electrify every household in the country by 2030.

On December 3rd, a solar mini-grid power plant was opened in Lema Village, Hsinpaungwe Township, Magway Region.

The construction of the power station cost US$7.8 million. The solar mini-grids power plant was built by the Rural Development Department and Mandalay Yoma Company in order to electrify over 400 houses in Lema Village.

For the power supply project, local people have to chip in 2 percent. Electricity from the station will be distributed free of charge to religious buildings, clinics and roads in the village. For home use, Ks 400 will be charged per unit.