WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version
WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version
WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version
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3.4.5 Myanmar<br />
Lara Esser and Kai Whiting, International Center on<br />
Small Hydro Power<br />
Oil<br />
Gas<br />
Hydropower<br />
8.94%<br />
19.59%<br />
71.47%<br />
Key facts<br />
Population 54,584,650 1<br />
Area 676,578 km 2<br />
Climate Tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot,<br />
humid summers (southwest<br />
monsoon, June to September); less<br />
cloudy, scant rainfall, mild<br />
temperatures, lower humidity during<br />
winter (northeast monsoon,<br />
December to April) 1<br />
Topography Central lowlands ringed by steep,<br />
rugged highlands<br />
Rain pattern Rainfall up to 5,080 mm in coastal<br />
areas and average 1,500 mm in<br />
central areas 2<br />
Electricity sector overview<br />
The annual electrical power consumption has been<br />
gradually increasing by year, reaching 4.4 billion KWh<br />
in 2011. Electricity is distributed by Ministry of Electric<br />
Power No. 1 and No. 2. Electric Power No. 1 is<br />
implementing Hydropower Stations Projects to<br />
generate electricity and Electric Power No. 2 is<br />
responsible for distribution.<br />
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimated in 2011<br />
that only 26 per cent of the population had access to<br />
grid electricity. The highest electrification rate is 67<br />
per cent in Yangon City, followed by Nay Pyi Taw (50<br />
per cent). 3 The existing grid needs to be upgraded.<br />
Rural areas located far away from the grid system<br />
urgently need isolated power supply systems. Small<br />
hydropower is one of the solutions for isolated power<br />
systems. 2<br />
Myanmar has abundant natural resources for rural<br />
electrification, including solar (annual potential is<br />
around 52,000 TWh), wind, tidal, biogas and husk. 2<br />
However, only hydropower is being commercially<br />
developed with the others in research, development<br />
or piloting stage. 3 Hydropower is the main source of<br />
electricity generation (figure 1), and gas, the country’s<br />
greatest source of revenue, is exported. 3<br />
Water is a key energy resource with hydropower<br />
accounting for 75 per cent of the total installed<br />
capacity. Myanmar uses only five per cent of its water<br />
resources. It is estimated that the hydropower<br />
potential of just the four principal rivers is larger than<br />
100 GW, of which only 1,781 MW are currently<br />
developed. 4 5 In 2010, a total of 19 hydropower<br />
projects (413.8 MW capacity) were under<br />
construction. 2 Large scale hydropower is expected to<br />
continue to be developed as a main power source.<br />
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%<br />
Figure 1 Electricity generation in Myanmar<br />
Source: International Energy Agency 6<br />
Small hydropower sector overview and potential<br />
The country has abundant renewable energy<br />
resources and small hydropower potentials. The<br />
topography of the country is suited to isolated power<br />
supply systems. At present about 3 per cent of the<br />
country potential has already been developed and 26<br />
per cent is under implementation.<br />
SHP installed<br />
capacity<br />
SHP potential<br />
35.97 MW<br />
167.35 MW<br />
0 50 100 150 200<br />
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in Myanmar<br />
Small hydropower is expected to continue to be<br />
developed as a power source for small village<br />
electrification. In 2008, up to 33 small hydropower<br />
projects with a total of 35.97 MW were in operation<br />
(figure 2). Numerous village hydro schemes (capacities<br />
less than 50 kW) and turbine installations of 1 kW or<br />
less, also supply electricity in hilly regions. 2<br />
In terms of the small hydropower potential, more<br />
than 20 per cent is utilized but still nearly 60 sites with<br />
individual capacities between 1 MW and 5 MW<br />
remain suitable and could result in around 170 MW of<br />
total potential capacity. 2<br />
There are some local technical capacities related to<br />
turbine manufacturing and installation technology.<br />
Appropriate renewable energy technologies exist, and<br />
the skills to design and build such systems are<br />
available. A hydropower turbine and generator factory<br />
exists in the Bago division since 2009. 2<br />
Foreign aid to support small hydropower is strongly<br />
recommended as a key factor to promote the<br />
development in rural communities. The reestablishment<br />
of international banking institutions<br />
such as the World Bank and ADB is likely to help bring<br />
financial security and facilitate investment for major<br />
infrastructure and development indicators.<br />
Renewable energy policy<br />
There is limited information available on Myanmar’s<br />
renewable energy policy. The country is moving<br />
towards a market-based economy to stimulate<br />
economic growth and development. As financial<br />
growth is a priority, the inclusion of environmental<br />
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