23 Aug

Due to the increase in electricity charges, most oil refineries in Kyaukka, Monywa are switching to firewood, according to the owner of an oil refining kiln.

“Earlier, the electricity bill was only over K300,000. However, we will have to pay around K700,000 for electricity beginning this month. When we compared the difference in the power charges for refining purposes, we found using firewood would cost much less,” said an owner of a private refinery.

According to the refineries, an oil refinery using a burner system requires seven barrels of fuel oil, and one barrel of fuel oil costs K100,000.

For a fuel-fired burner system, an oil refinery would have to spend K1 million, including the cost of fuel oil and electricity, they said. Due to a significant increase in electricity rates and the price of fuel oil, most oil refineries are now turning to firewood.

“The price of firewood has increased in the rainy season as usual. Previously, one 12-wheel vehicle load of firewood cost K900,000. Now, we have to purchase this volume at a cost of K950,000,” said the owner of an oil refining kiln.

Currently, 60 per cent of Kyaukka oil refineries are using the burner system. “The refineries can be operated using both the burner system and firewood. When there is a power outage, we use firewood,” said the owner of an oil refining kiln.—Myo Win Tun (Monywa) (Translated by Hay Mar)