Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inspects Yeywa Hydropower Project
Nay Pyi Taw January 24
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by members of his entourage, the Mandalay Region Chief Minister, the Central Command commander and officials, inspected the Yeywa Hydropower Project in Kyaukse District, Mandalay Region this morning.
At the briefing hall, Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Aung Than Oo, reported on points of the project, annual water storage, power generation and water inflow of the dam, capacity of each turbine based on water level, staff strength and renovation of staff quarters, power generation costs, a major renovation of No 4 turbine in the financial year 2019-2020, power projects on Myitnge River, points and operations of Nantmatu Hydropower Project, points and operations of upper Yeywa project, points and operations of middle Yeywa project, points and operations of Deedok hydropower project, hydropower and solar plants in 2022, generation capacities of thermal power stations and annual increase in power consumption, electricity demand, production capacity and load management, repair of destroyed power lines and gas-fired power plants.
In response, the Senior General said hydropower generation is a long-term project. Implementation of upper and middle Yeywa projects will continue.
Likewise, the implementation of Deedok hydropower projects must also continue. LNGfired power generation is costly.
So, renewable energy sources such as hydropower and solar power should be prioritized.
Apart from overseas companies, local companies should also be invited to solar power projects.
“Land of plenty through electricity” is the past motto. Hydropower is cost-effective. Both the Burma Socialist Programme Party and the Tatmadaw government encouraged hydropower.
Efforts were also made to encourage hydropower generation during the time of democratic administration. But there were attempts to cause hardship in implementing electricity projects under the pretext of environmental concerns.
Electricity is essential for national development. The government has to use a lot of financial power and time for power projects.
The amount of investment is huge in implementing a hydropower project. Its cost can be calculated precisely and its benefits are invaluable. The price of units Yeywa has been producing since its commissioning has already passed its cost. Moreover, the project has been supporting the socio-economy of the people and national development a lot. So, its benefits are immeasurable.
Myanmar has many resources for hydropower generation.
The failure to implement hydropower projects causes a great deal of losses for the country. The earliest completion of the ongoing projects is a must.
National development needs electricity and a reduction in unnecessary power consumption.
LED lights may be the answer for saving electricity. Utmost efforts should be made to increase power generation and reduce power consumption.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing signed the visitor’s book of the project. Afterwards, he was conducted around the production sector by officials. The Senior General presented cash awards for staff through power plant manager U Khin Maung Tint.
The Senior General and party inspected the inflow of water into the dam.