Posts in category: ENERGY

SOLAR panels are currently sold more than generators, according to electronic stores. The market has been low at present, but there are more solar panel buyers, said an electronics store owner.
“It has been a couple of months that the market has been low. We normally sell about K30-K40 million a day, sometimes about K20 million. Now the sale has just K8-K10milion recently. There is no sale of generators but solar panels,” he said. People who can afford more buy solar panels that can run air-conditioners. Including batteries that are used with solar panels, other devices have been in high demand in the market, said another electronic store owner.

“At our shop, the battery has also been in high demand. Buyers are from Yangon as well as from other regions and states. The sale of solar panels is larger than the generator sale. Buyers bought small-sized panels previously, but now there are customers for big-sized panels. Our shop is oriented towards the non-Yangon market. Because most of the buyers are from other regions and states,” he said.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE Construction Task Force No.5 under the Department of Hydropower Implementation has been
constructing the Upper Kengtawng Hydropower Plant near Kengtawng Town in Shan State (South). The power plant may fulfil both the State’s and the country’s electricity demand by harnessing the power of Namteng Creek. The project has an installation capacity of 51 megawatts with three 17-MW power stations. The electricity produced from the power plant will be transmitted through the national grid by connecting the Namsam Main Power Sub-station via the 230-kV power grid. U Toe Lwin, director of the Department of Hydropower Implementation at the Ministry of Electric Power, said: “We’d finished 80.52 per cent of the project by October 2023. We’ll try to finish it by the end of the financial year 2024-25. We’re trying our best since it can supply our country’s much-needed electricity demand.” The department successfully constructed the 54-MW Kengtawng Hydropower Plant on 26 March 2009.

During the construction of the Kengtawng Hydropower Plant back in 2006, the department’s engineers
conducted an initial survey with experts from the Japan-based Kansai Co Inc to build another power plant on the Namteng Creek. Moreover, the engineers and specialists from the Switzerland-based Colenco Power Engineering Co Ltd studied locations for hydro-powered structures, geological features and quality of construction materials for the Upper Kengtawng Hydropower project in 2009. Similarly, the Japanese NEWJEC and the Norwegian Nor- Consult/Multi-Consult cooperated with the department in building access roads and staff accommodations by producing blueprints and conducting detailed measurements. The director added: “We collaborated with specialists from Japan, Switzerland and Norway for the early initiative. We’re working, but our homegrown engineers carry out the technical and construction works.” The dam installed in the Upper Kengtawng project is 1,800 feet long and 230 feet tall. It’szone-type pebble-filled earthen dam, and all the materials, including rocks and sand used in a barrier, underwent rigorous scrutiny to ensure the highest quality.

The main dam was finished in November 2021. To channel water to the power station, the engineers
excavated an underground tunnel with a length of 1,726 feet and a diameter of 26 feet. So far, every
component of the hydropower infrastructure has been built except the high-pressure steel pipeline, power station and sub-station. To deliver the necessary water volume to the power plant, a vertical conduit with a diameter of 82 feet and a length of 151 feet is being constructed in connection with the tunnel. The civil engineering aspects are completed, and the engineers assemble the gate.
The water stored in the main dam will drive the power stations. To manage excess water during the
rainy season, a 460 foot-wide spillway, designed as a Labyrinth Type Weir and the first of its kind in Myanmar, has been constructed. The engineers are currently applying the finishing touches. Only the high-pressure steel pipe connecting the power station and sub-station is left to be done. The department has procured essential electrical equipment through a contract with the China-based Consortium of DEIC & GF. Approximately 50 percent of the equipment has been successfully delivered. The department has meticulously selected projects with minimal environmental and social impacts. The Upper Kengtawng Hydropower Project, with a storage capacity of 104,000 acre-feet, has a low potential for adverse impact.

The project is expected to improve the quality of life for the local population. Resident U Sai Ponnya supported the project: “When the Upper Kengtawng Hydropower Project is done, we’ll have two hydropower plants here. They’ll enable us to use electricity 24 hours a day. Thanks to this, our towns have become much more developed.” Since electric power plays a crucial role in building a developed country, the department strives to finish the project by the end of the financial year 2024-25. Upon completion, the two hydropower plants will collectively generate 267 million kilowatt-hours annually, capable of supplying electricity to about 700,000 people connected to the main grid. The project can serve the residents of Loilem, Namhsan, and Langkho districts and supply surplus electricity to the broader public via the main grid. Undoubtedly, this initiative is poised to benefit the people through illumination.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

In a bid to encourage electric vehicles (EVs) use, 38 EV charging stations have installed 51 chargers in the initial stage, said U Zaw Win, Yangon Region Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. He gave a remark at the opening ceremony of the EV charging station affiliated with Terminal 202 petrol station in Mingaladon Township, Yangon Region on 23 November.

To reduce the consumption of imported fuel in the transportation sector and air pollution, the authorities are encouraging the use of EVs as a substitute fuel oil. Under the guidance of the National-level Leading Committee on Development of the Electric Vehicle and Related Businesses, as a part of the initial stage, the installation of 51 EV chargers was done at 38 fuel stations; 24 in Yangon, seven on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway and seven in Nay Pyi Taw, which facilitates the EVs for charging, U Zaw Win elaborated. Myanmar Investment Commission also released a statement on 15 February that electric vehicles and related businesses will be promoted as the priority sector, as per its notification dated 15 February.

In the exercise of the power conferred by Sections 43 and 100 (B) of Myanmar Investment Law, the MIC issued this statement with the approval of the Union government. Enterprises executing installation, manufacturing and restoration services of the EVs, renewable electricity generation, EVs charging service businesses, electric vehicle battery production, EV battery and related service business, electric bus operation services, electric taxi and transportation service businesses and scientific research development business are included in those priority sectors.

During the establishment and ideation phase for incorporation and operations, those businesses can seek permit from the MIC to enjoy tariff relief or zero-customs tariff status and exemption for other taxes levied in the country under Section 77 (A) of the Myanmar Investment Law and income tax exemption under Section 75 (C) of the Myanmar Investment Law for the importations of machinery, essential equipment and accessories, spare parts and construction raw materials that cannot be found in domestic markets. Myanmar has been bringing in electric vehicles (EVs) and EV chargers under the Customs tariff relaxation through seaborne and border trade routes as well as air transport through Yangon International Airport, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

According to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, the signing of an agreement between Myanmar and China for the purchase of electricity for three solar power plant projects was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 7 November.
The statement said that the total capacity of the three solar power plant projects of Kyeeon Kyeewa, Kinda and Sedoktaya in Magway and Mandalay Region, a collaboration between PowerChina Resources Ltd and Myanmar’s Ministry of Electric Power, is 90 megawatts, which will guarantee the development of the regions.
The Union Minister for Electric Power praised the progress of solar energy cooperation projects and discussed the attitudes that will continue to develop China-Myanmar electricity cooperation, providing services for the development of the two countries, and bringing more interest to the people of Myanmar.
They exchanged views on the implementation of the agreement results of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the development of China-Myanmar electricity interconnection, the assistance to solve the “electricity needs” of Myanmar, and the guarantee for the construction of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE Ministry of Commerce reduced income inward remittance of seafarers to US$50,000 from over
$200,000 per year to grant import permits for electric vehicles (EVs), according to a notification released on 26 October. As per the statement released on 13 October, if those Myanmar citizens including seamen transferred their foreign wages to the local banks, they were entitled to import one EV which value is equivalent to five per cent of the inward remittance worth more than US$200,000 per year. Except for those receiving monthly salary, others were allowed to import electric vehicles or electric motorcycles which is equivalent to five per cent of the remittance if they made inward remittance worth $50,000 per year.

To bolster the growth of the electric vehicle industry and promote environmental conservation
activities, import permits for electric vehicles or electric motorcycles are granted for inward remittance of foreign salary or other wages of Myanmar citizens as a special programme. The ministry changed the inward remittance amount to $50,000 for all Myanmar citizens receiving foreign salaries including seafarers in line with the notification released on 26 October. If an individual’s remittance does not meet the amount of the EV or electric motorcycles, they can import them collectively. This action of EV import permit is effective from 16 October 2023. The following contact phone 0673408433 and email dottraining2008@gmail.com of the ministry can be reached and contacted for further details.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

UNION Minister for Energy U Ko Ko Lwin and Russian Minister of Energy Mr Nikolay Shulginov in Moscow on 11 October discussed energy affairs.

The Russian Minister said that Russia plans to assist the energy sector of Myanmar if Myanmar wishes to cooperate with INTER RAO Export Company. Russia is ready to cooperate with Myanmar in the petrochemical sector. Myanmar and Russia will negotiate in the bilateral energy sector, oil and natural gas technology. Russia will provide aid to geological and geophysical measures and draw the digital geological map for Myanmar. Further cooperation will be discussed for the development of oil, natural gas and coal production.

The Union Energy Minister in his turn said that Myanmar is striving to ensure energy sufficiency for long-term economic development. So, Myanmar hopes for investment and technological assistance through the cooperation of friendly countries. Myanmar manages the use of solar energy and wind power energy as renewable energy to fulfil the energy requirements in conventional ways. He expressed his hope for cooperation with Russia in nurturing human resources for the improvement of the energy sector.

The same day, the Sixth Russian Energy Week International Forum 2023 (REW 2023) took place in Moscow of the Russian Federation.

At the plenary session of the forum, Union Minister for Electric Power U Nyan Tun, Union Minister for Energy U Ko Ko Lwin and Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Myo Thein Kyaw participated in the discussions under the title of the “Technological Sovereignty and Low-Carbon Energy: Looking to Tomorrow”, focusing on emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to generating energy, global warming, use of green energy to reduce carbon dioxide, and solving the energy crisis through nuclear technology.

The forum has been held since 2017 and it is implementing the solving of the energy problems, international programme, climate, science and technological development, and sustainable development of fuel and energy, Participants in the forum discussed energy assistance, world prices for raw materials, prospects for oil and climate programmes.

The Myanmar delegation held talks with Chairman of Rosatom Alexey Likhachev to discuss the electric power sector and training of human resources. The Ministry of Energy signed the memorandum of understanding on nuclear infrastructure.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

AIM electric motorbikes that were imported by Myanmar Arr Thit Man Motor Co Ltd, with the approval of the Steering Committee on National-Level Development of Electric Vehicles and Related Industries, arrived at the Yangon Port yesterday, and they were allowed to be claimed as per procedures. The import of these motorbikes is exempted from Customs duties.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Thanbayakan Oil Refinery under Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise (MPE) has called for a bid to sell five million gallons of petroleum.
From September to December, Thanbayakan Refinery will sell petrol to filling stations, oil distributing companies, vessel operators and entities engaged in road and bridge construction, transport business, factories and workshops, mining businesses and businesses running with the use of fuel oil. Additionally, anyone can directly purchase oil from the refinery through an official tender procedure.
One million gallons each will be sold per batch on 12 September, 3 and 24 October, 14 November and 5 December under the auction. Tender forms can be submitted to the MPE Office No 44 in Nay Pyi Taw.
The deadline for tender submission is at noon on the designated sale dates.
The tender opening is scheduled for 2 pm on that day. For further details, enquiries can be made at the MPE’s Production Division within office hours. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

A total of 65 GAC Toyota bZ4X electric vehicles have been imported by Innogen Myanmar Co Ltd, along with a BYD Dolphin electric vehicle imported by Earth Renewable Energy Co Ltd, totalling 66 electric vehicles through the Yangon Port. A total of 633 Kanbo Type electric motorcycles, imported by Aung Kan Bo Motorcycle Industrial Co Ltd, have arrived at the Muse 105th-Mile trade zone. The importation of EVs and electric motorcycles is allowed with an exemption from Customs tariffs. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

ACCORDING to the Yangon Region Government Office, the 2023 Rainy Season Expo, Industrial
Product Exhibition and Electric Vehicle (EV) Exhibition will be held at People’s Square in Dagon Township,
Yangon Region. Not only products produced in Yangon Region but also products from other regions and states are planned to be displayed and sold in the exhibition from 4 to 6 August. People can buy products from 29 industrial zones in Yangon Region, MSME products, and products produced by manufacturing cooperatives.

During the exhibition, value-for-money restaurants will be opened and sold for the vendors and visitors, and entertainment programmes will also be included. Products from the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Myanmar Rice Federation, Retailers Association, Myanmar Oil Traders and Oil Industry Association and other associations and various industrial zones will be sold at the expo.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar