29 June 

The Union Government has been striving to provide electric supply to the whole country. Before the end of this year, electricity is expected to reach more than 50 percent of the country. The government is hoping to achieve 100-per-cent electrification in 3 to 4 years, and efforts are being made towards that end. With the launch of its first-ever solar power plant yesterday, Myanmar is well on the road to using renewable energy resources for generating power.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi inaugurated the first phase of a solar power plant project in Minbu yesterday, adding 40MW of power generated by the plant’s first phase to the national grid.

Once completed, the plant will have a total capacity of 170MW, and it will produce 350 million kWh (kilowatt hour) per annum, and electrify about 210,000 households.

People in rural areas have also taken a smart approach to solve the problem of power and turned to solar panels to gain access to electricity.

Connecting people living without access to electricity to sources of power is the need of the hour. We must generate solar and wind power, using clean energy resources as much we can, to meet the national goal of nationwide electrification without damaging the environment.

Increased use of clean energy would make Myanmar less dependent on fossil fuels, a major contributor to climate change. The effects of climate change — including rising sea levels — pose a direct threat to the country.

But, we must be aware that our development must be in conformity with the natural environment and situation. This means we must inculcate a spirit of continuous innovation and invention.

Just like all power generation systems have strengths and weaknesses, there will be weaknesses in solar power plants, too.

The authorities had to consider this and select the best option. Climate change had rendered hydropower unreliable. Therefore, with the changing situation, it was important to have the ability and courage to change our technology.

Our country needs a lot of power, which renewable resources can provide. Solar power can be an emission-free driver of the economy, which can generate growth, both through direct and indirect employment.

We would like to urge other towns to follow Minbu’s solar example.

GNLM