Eight hydropower projects with an installed capacity of 2,615 MW will be developed in Myintnge Basin, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports.

Upon completion, these projects can generate 11,652 million kilowatt hours every year.

The projects cover the dam system project and the diversion and low-dam system which may have the least environmental and social impacts. The step-by-step implementation of projects along the river aims to control water quality degradation and the deterioration of ecosystem.

Now Yeywa hydropower project on Myitnge River has an installed capacity of 790 MW and can produce 3,550 million kilowatt hours a year. This project will distribute its power to the national power grids through 230-KV Yeywa-Baelin power lines and 230-KV Yeywa-Meiktila.

Nanmatu (Thibaw) hydropower project will produce 210 MW, Middle Yeywa hydropower project, 735 MW and Deedoke Yeywa hydropower project, 60 MW.

Currently, most of the regions including Yangon are facing power blackouts. There is widespread criticism among the public over the frequent power blackouts.

Power production by hydropower plants has declined as the water levels continue to decline in the dams. Efforts are being made to produce more power from gas-fired power plants in order to satisfy power demands. The ministry will report load shedding plans to relevant region and state government and needs to try to have the least impacts on the public if the ministry has to carry out load shedding, said Union Minister for Electricity and Energy Win Khaing.