Myanmar will need 14,542 megawatts of electricity by 2030, and efforts are being made to build cross-border power line projects and purchase electricity to meet this demand, said U Nyan Tun, Union Minister for Electric Power.
The Union Minister made the above statement at the bilateral ministerial meeting on Myanmar-Laos electricity sector cooperation held in Vientiane, Laos on December 25.
In the meeting, the Union Minister said that Myanmar will need 14,542 megawatts by 2030. In order to meet the power demand, it is a key priority of our ministry to improve not only the production of power in the country but also the purchase of power across the border. Myanmar is also working with China and Thailand to build cross-border power line projects to purchase electricity. Therefore, special emphasis is placed on the rapid implementation of the project. The Myanmar-Laos joint working committee (JWC) and joint working group (JWG) have been formed and significant progress has been made within more than five years.
According to previous studies, three to four hydropower projects can be implemented along the Mekong River, with a total potential of 2,800 MW to 3,200 MW of electricity. Since each Mekong project will be able to build and implement more than 500 MW, the feasibility study should be completed quickly. Regional cooperation between countries will be encouraged and promoted, he said.
The Myanmar-Laos cross-border power line project needs to implement in a short period of time. According to the completion of the FSR of the cross-border power line project and the evaluation of the FSR, depending on the technical and economic feasibility, the implementation of the project can be presented to the governments of the two countries and receive guidance. Myanmar is fully recognizing the strong support of the government of Laos. The two countries will support those who need to carry out joint studies for the implementation of the cross-border power line project and hydropower projects in the Mekong River basin, the Union Minister said.
