December 14, 2019
A ceremony to celebrate the achievement of 50% nationwide electrification was held at the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, in Nay Pyi Taw, yesterday.
Firstly, President U Win Myint delivered the opening speech at the ceremony which was also attended by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than, Union Ministers, Union Attorney-General, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, Pyithu Hluttaw Electricity and Energy Development Committee Chairman, Amyotha Hluttaw Construction, Industry, Electricity and Energy Committee Chairman, Deputy Ministers, state/regional cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries, departmental officials, corporation chairmen, chief executive officers, board of directors, advisors, representatives from affiliated organizations and companies, officials and invited guests.
Next, Union Minister for Electricity and Energy, U Win Khaing, explained the processes involved in achieving 50% nationwide electrification. He then handed over a gift commemorating this event to President U Win Myint.
This was followed by children of MoEE staff performing ‘Mahar Mee Alinn Aung Pwe’ and a video clip on the ministry’s path to its achievement was shown. The President then took a documentary photo with everyone in attendance.
Next, the President, both Hluttaw Speakers and Union Minister U Win Khaing unveiled the commemorative plaque and archway for 50% nationwide electrification and sprinkled scented water on them. The President also observed the commemorative exhibition and signed the guestbook.
The Ministry of Electricity and Energy was reformed when the new government assumed office and nationwide electrification was only at 34%. Increasing electric generation through hydropower, natural gases and solar power, expanding 230KV transmission lines and installing new 500KV lines contributed to the rise of national electricity access.
Additionally, a total of 19,600 miles of transmission lines counting in at 230KV, 132KV, 66KV, 33KV, 11KV and 400V and sub-power stations totaling at 12,636A were constructed and installed over a 3 ½ year plan from 2016. Since April 2016, a total of Ks 2,327 billion has been invested in the electric sector with the result that an additional 900MW are being generated. Estimates say another 1,000MW will be generated in the middle of 2020.
The increase in electrification has now linked 368 towns and 16,941 villages to the national grid and authorities are continuing work to increase the 50% mark.
They aim to achieve 55% in 2021-2022, 75% in 2025-2026, and complete nationwide electrification by 2030. —MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
