Japan Ministry to Aid Natural Gas Power Plant Construction

Japan has promised help construct a 500-Mega watt natural gas power plant in Yangon, according to officials.

The power plant will be located in Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone and plans to be completed by 2015. An agreement for the project was made by Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi during a meeting with Myanmar President Thein Sein.

“The minister agreed to provide technical aid for the power plant which will be located in Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone. The electricity generated from the power plant is not only enough for the industrial zone but also other townships,”  said Myat Thin Aung, Chairman of Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone.

Japan will also help to construct a 50-mega watt natural gas power plant in Thilawa Industrial Zone.

“The gas propelled power plant in Thilawa is smaller than that of Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone because they are still carrying out the zones,” added Myat Thin Aung.

The Ministry of Energy has invited local and overseas companies to help generate 24-hour electricity for fifteen industrial zones in Yangon. Industrial zones currently operate with five hours a day of electricity except in rainy season.

“Among 24 zones in Myanmar, Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone is the biggest. If the zone can manufacture with full capacity, the production will be increased. If we have electricity, we don’t need to worry about 2015,” commented a businessman.

Myanmar needs about 2,000 mega watts of electricity annually. It is estimated that natural gas propelled power plants can generate 20 percent of total domestic demand.