President visits hydropower facilities in Bago Region

posted in The Global New Light of Myanmar

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Dec— President U Thein Sein attended opening ceremony of second Thaukyegat hydropower plant in Toungoo Township, Bago region, Tuesday.

The ceremony was also attended by union ministers, chief ministers of states and regions, deputy ministers, members of state/region government officials, local authorities, social organizations and locals.

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U Khin Maung Soe, union minister for Electric Power, explained about power distribution plans of the plant. He said that power consumption per capita has increased to 190 kW, compared with 104 kW of previous government, adding that the existing electricity supply is still lesser than people from Southeast Asian countries.

The Union minister said plans are underway to supply electricity generated from mini hydropower plants for remote areas such as Leshi, Lahe and Nanyun in Naga area in Sagaing region, as well as in Putao, Kachin state, with solar power and wind turbines will also be other power sources. U Tun Myint Naing, chairman of Shwe Energy Company, clarified the project.

President U Thein Sein also explained two major focuses of government— peace and socio-economic development of people— since it has taken office four years ago.

The government has released many prisoners to invite their contributions in development efforts, aiming to stop civil conflicts over 60 years.

He said that Bago region is strategically located to link with other areas of the country, saying that the importance of electricity supply for development of education, knowledge and social status.

President urged local businesspersons to manufacture value-added products for more job opportunities for locals.

Another hydropower plant in Pyu township will soon generate 30MW for the region.

President emphasized the requirement of good transportation, modern technologies and human resources, as well as peace and cooperation of people for the regional development programmes.

U Thein Sein and sen- ior government officials sprayed scented water to the stone inscription monument of the power plant.

Thaukyegat hydropower plant (2) is located 14 miles east of Toungoo Township, and its water storage facility is the type of Concrete Faced Rock Fill Dam (CFRD) designed by Chinese experts.

The initial survey of this power plant as first carried out by experts from UNDP and Myanmar engineers in 1964. The project was then transferred to Shwe Energy Company with BOT system in May 2008. The facility has three generators with a total capacity of 120 MW, and will be able to generate 604.7 million kW/h each year into national grid.

President finally looked around Pyuchaung hydropower project which is scheduled to open on 8 January 2015.—MNA