Myanmar is planning to start three liquefied natural gas (LNG) power projects and a combined cycle power project to meet energy requirements in 2022, said Union Minister Win Khaing of Electricity and Energy.

“The ministry provided electricity to 30 per cent of households recent years and the supply will be up to 50 per cent at the end of 2019. It planned to provide electricity to all by 2030. Annual electricity usage is increased from 15 to 19 per cent year by year and expected to rise till 2030. We are planning to start the projects to meet the energy requirements,” said the union minister.

At present, the ministry is implementing hydropower projects, which generally has less impact on environment, and some are still under construction. Some are still conducting surveys and total electric production is 1,355 megawatts.

Moreover, the ministry is developing a 40-megawatt solar power project in Minbu and electricity generated from the power plant will be connected to national grid soon.

More than 50 per cent of family households in Myanmar will gain access to national grid in coming November, said the minister in the opening ceremony of 225-megawatt natural gas fired power plant in Myingyan held on March 16.

“Myanmar has over ten million households and over four million (about 43 per cent) of them had gained access to power grid in November 2018. The ministry used funds from the union government, regions and states government funds and overseas loans to meet the energy requirement,” said the minister.

The maximum usage of electricity is 3,483 megawatts in Myanmar. It is generating 2,400 megawatts from 28 hydropower plants and 1,083 megawatts from 16 thermal energy power plants including natural gas fired power plants, he said.