18 May
A 145 MW gas engine power plant was inaugurated yesterday in Bellin, Kyaukse Township, Mandalay Region, by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Chairperson of the Rural Areas and National Races Development Central Committee.
In her opening address, the State Counsellor said it has been found that Myanmar is meeting just under 50 per cent of its electricity needs, which is one of the major requirements for the development of the country, while most neighboring countries have achieved over 80 per cent, over 90 per cent, and cent-per-cent electrification.
Therefore, the country needs to make the utmost effort to increase production of electricity, she said adding, the Union Government has set up new infrastructure for the power system, including installation of new cable lines and opening of new sub-power stations.
“Before the end of this year, it is expected that about 50 per cent of the demand for electricity will be fulfilled. We have been making efforts to increase power production from 30 per cent in 2016 to 50 per cent by the end of this year. It is our target to achieve nationwide electrification in 2025,” said the State Counsellor.
Under the incumbent government, power plants were launched in Mandalay Region, including a 225 MW power plant with two high-efficiency gas turbines and waste heat generators, a 90 MW gas engine power plant by V Power Company, the 145 MW Bellin Gas Engine Power Plant, and a 65 MW Gas Engine Power Plant, which became operational in May, 2016. Together, the plants can produce 525 MW of power. The power produced by the factories is transmitted not only to Mandalay Region, but also to the national grid, reaching the people in the whole country, she said.
To supply sufficient electricity to Mandalay Region, the 230-KV Ahtet Yeywa-Shwesaryan power grid project, the 230-KV Myanmar-Meikhtila-Taungdwingyi power grid project, the 500-KV Meiktila sub-power station project, and the 60-MW Didok Hydropower Plant are being implemented currently, said the State Counsellor.
Since taking office, the incumbent government has realized that the two main tasks for the development of the country are transportation and electrification, she said.
If our country’s people get access to good transportation and electrification, their socio-economic life will improve quickly, she added.
Getting access to electricity benefits the people not just for light, but also the education of the children and small-scale industries at home for their parents, she added.
The State Counsellor said the electricity brought light to the people physically and technically, adding that it is the light of wisdom that is brighter than the light from the electricity and let it shine in the country. The light of loving kindness is valuable than the light of wisdom.
“Our people must work hard to become wise. Wisdom means the power of right understanding over a situation. We need the wisdom which comes after right understanding to make responsible decisions for betterment of the situation,” she said.
Myanmar is a Union, and thus the Union Government takes a balanced view while performing its duties, she said.
“We should not take only an economic view, such as getting electricity would bring development and prosperity to this area,” she said, “To strengthen our Union Spirit, when we think about how to use our wealth and how to obtain investments from local and foreign investors, we have to use the “Union Spirit”.”
The Union Government was implementing the development projects which can lead to prosperity and unity among the ethnic peoples of the Union and strengthen the understanding among them, she added.
The electrification sector is considered not just for money, but for the future of the country, she said.
Myanmar has not achieved 100 per cent peace since her independence. The flames of armed conflicts are burning here and there. More important than electricity is that we need to let the light of loving kindness shine in our country to quench the flames of armed conflicts in our country.
We conducted a review whenever a new power station was opened or a power supply work was successfully implemented. What was the benefit to the country from having one more power station? What were the economic, social and political benefits? We have to think in this manner. As mentioned earlier, politics means a process based on union spirit. If we can work in unity on politics based on union spirit this country can overcome whatever difficulties or challenges it faces and it would develop quickly. The main belief was that a sustainable development could be maintained firmly into the future.
That was why the people were relied on and trusted. The work of politics was to be conducted by relying and trusting on the people. Some spoke only about their rights as they mention democracy. You could not talk about rights only. Duties and responsibilities need to be known. Use the light obtained from electricity for the benefit of the people. As students read and learn more, those reading and learning should be for the majority.
As the projects succeed for our hope of providing 100 per cent to the country, the country must become an exceptionally developed country.
Why do I say exceptional? The world today has been prioritizing physical development. But there was no solution yet on resolving social problems caused by prioritizing physical development.
Even though our country was at the very early beginning of physical development we need to instil in ourselves a truly developed mindset and morality. If we have this our people will become valuable people that would benefit the people more than the people of developed countries.
May this additional power station bring forth development of opportunities for peace in our country. May our people bring benefit not only to the union but also to the world, said the State Counsellor in conclusion.
Next Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing explained about works conducted on the power station and works conducted on providing electricity to the whole country while Mandalay Region Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung explained about electricity obtained by Mandalay Region and the benefits obtained from constructing the power station.
After a video record of constructing the power station was shown Region Hluttaw representative U Win Hlaing spoke words of thanks.
Union Minister U Win Khaing then presented a certificate of honor to Chief Engineer U Thein Aung of Ministry of Construction Department of Highways for the support provided in transporting the engines for the power station and a fruit basket to Powergen Kyaukse Co., Ltd Chairman U Maung Kyay and officials for constructing the power station.
Afterwards the State Counsellor, Union Ministers, Region Chief Minister and officials, Powergen Kyaukse Co., Ltd. Chairman and officials posed for a commemorative group photo.
Next, Region Hluttaw Chairman U Aung Kyaw Oo, Deputy Minister Dr. Tun Naing, Mandalay Region Minister for Electricity, Energy and Construction U Zarni Aung, Singaing Township Pyithu Hluttaw representative Dr. Kyi Mo Mo Lwin, Amyotha Hluttaw representative Daw Ohn Kyi, Region Hluttaw representative U Aung Naing Lin and PowergenKyaukse Co., Ltd Director U Aung Hlaing Oo cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the power station.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Union Minister U Win Khaing and Region Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung next pressed a button to put the 145.49 MW of electrical power generated by the power station onto the national grid.
From the power station the State Counsellor went to Tamoteshinpin Shwegu Pagoda built by King Anawrahta at Nyaungpin Thauk Village, Kyaukse Town to pay homage to the pagoda with flower, water, and oil lamps and donated cash.
After paying homage to the pagoda, the State Counsellor left Kyaukse by helicopters and arrived at Myogyi Dam and was welcomed by Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr. Aung Thu and officials.
The State Counsellor and party inspected storage of water in the Dam and greenery works conducted in the surrounding areas. While the inspection was conducted onboard a motor launch in the Dam, the Union Minister and officials explained about water storage, distribution of irrigation water and the status of the Dam.
The State Counsellor and party went on to inspect the Myogyi hydropower station. Following the inspection of Myogyi Dam and power station the State Counsellor and party inspected the natural environmental situation of Ywangan (Pindaya), Tigit, Pinlaung and Paunglaung regions by helicopters and left for Nay Pyi Taw arriving there in the evening. — MNA (Translated by Zaw Min)
