By KZL
Following the 2023 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Media Summit and Workshop, held from 27 June to 4 July 2023 in three major cities of China, we have seen the importance and satisfaction of the electricity sector in a breathtaking way.
The whole of China has an excess of electricity, and with fascinating technology, LMC countries are getting sufficient power through Chinese electricity projects.
As China Southern Power Grid (CSG), Energy China and State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC) are able to produce electricity using the latest advanced technologies, they are able to share the fruits of technology not only with China but also with countries in the Lancang-Mekong region and other countries around the world.
CSG is a key state-owned enterprise directly under the central government. It has established a modern corporate governance structure, striving to build a reliable, safe, smart, green, and efficient modern grid and commits to building a world-class enterprise with global competitiveness to advance the energy ecosystem service provider.
Ensuring power supply and contributing to carbon neutrality, CSG has increased investment in power grid infrastructure projects and accelerated the construction of modern power grids to build a new electric power system.
The company supplies power to Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hainan, Hong Kong and Macao. They have been independently conducting foreign trade, international co operation, contracting overseas engineering construction projects and dispatching labour services overseas.
The grid network covers the five provincial regions in southern China and is connected to the power grids of Southern Asia especially Lancang-Mekong countries, with a power supply area of one million square kilometres, covering a population of 254 million and 107 million households.
Giving full play to the grids as a platform for the optimal allocation of resources, CSG makes flexible plans on electricity transmission, adopts targeted measures for orderly electricity consumption and raises public awareness of energy consumption to fulfil basic electricity needs.
CSG has established a sound information disclosure process to deliver important information to users in a timely manner through “CSG Online” and WeChat official account, allowing users to get access to relevant information clearly, efficiently and conveniently.
As CSG is using towers equipped with automatic power tracking equipment to adequately distribute urban and rural residual electricity, Myanmar should also sign more Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) contracts with the Chinese People’s Government to obtain the full power grid technology for every household in Myanmar to access 24- hour electricity.
Additionally, Energy China, established in 2021, is seen as a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Group Company Limited-CEEC, taking the lead in the investment of international business, market development, supervision and management of engineering projects, etc.
It tops the world’s construction technology in the fields of river diversion and closure.
The Yeywa Hydropower Plant project in Myanmar built by Energy China is the largest hydropower plant in Myanmar in terms of total installed capacity, with a maximum dam height of 137 metres, build in only 40 months in a hot and rainy climate, with a total installed capacity of 790,000 kilowatts, accounting for 50 per cent of Myanmar’s national installed hydropower capacity, known as Myanmar’s “Three Gorges Project”.
Regarding the diplomatic cooperation, Lyu Zexiang, Chairman of CEEC International, met U Thaung Han, Union Minister for Electric Power of Myanmar, in Beijing and reached a consensus on deepening cooperation in investment and construction in the photovoltaic fields, wind power, energy storage, gas power plants and hydropower.
In the recent outbreak of Cyclone Mocha, the CEEC actively responded to the call of the Chinese Embassy to Myanmar and organized by the Chamber of Commerce, donated cash and relief items to the Cyclone-hit area to help people in the disaster to overcome their difficulties.
The CEEC has always been actively taking social responsibility and helping local people in Myanmar in terms of people-to-people bond benefits.
Besides, State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC), one of China’s five power generation groups, is actively implementing the Belt and Road Initiatives, with a presence in 47 countries including Myanmar, Viet Nam, Brazil, Mexico, Türkiye and Pakistan etc.
As of May 2023, SPIC owns 8,860-megawatt overseas assets in operation, with clean and green energy.
The SPIC undertook tasks on the development and construction of the Myanmar Ayeyawady Hydropower Project with an installed capacity of 21.6 gigawatts.
The Chipwe Nge Hydropower Project has become the main power source for lighting up the northern region of Myanmar, locally known as a pearl embedded in the Maykha River.
The SPIC is ensuring the daily power consumption of more than 400,000 people in Kachin State and Sagaing Region, making important contributions to the economic and social development of local people.
Along with the projects, jobs were also opened up for workers in Myanmar.
Leaders from the SPICYN (Yunnan International Power Investment Company Limited of State Power Investment Corporation) met Daw Mi Mi Khaing, Director of the Electric Power Planning Department of the Ministry of Electric Power of Myanmar and introduced the overall situation with the success of the projects in Myanmar.
During the meeting, SPICYN expressed their willingness to assist in the power development in Myanmar and contributed special advice to the realization of the goal of “National Electrification Plan by 2023” in Myanmar.
Myanmar delegations frankly communicated energy solutions in non-electric zones in Myanmar with the SPICYN.
Currently, SPICYN is operating the Fuyuan West Wing Farm Project, the Wind Power base with the largest installed capacity in China.
The wind turbines for the project feature a unit capacity of 6.7 Megawatts, representing the wind power base with the most advanced technology in Yunnan Province.
The wind turbine body is equipped with intelligent sensors to realize real-time monitoring, making the project the very first environmentally friendly smart wind farm in the province.
One wind turbine can supply a household with electricity for one month every year, according to the official statement.
The project is expected to generate 2,060 gigawatt hours of annual on-grid energy.
Myanmar should also engage in modern wind power generation in cooperation with China.
In conclusion, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation will stand as a strong support for Myanmar and other LMC countries to get sufficient electricity.
