More natural gas power plants on the way to meet dry season demand, says ESB

Electricity suppliers will be turning more to natural gas, rather than hydro power, as increasing rates of consumption boost demand for megawattage during the dry season, according to the Yangon City Electricity Supply Board.

Currently, Myanmar produces 3,300 mega-watts of electricity annually. That rate is reduced to half during the dry season, because the country relies mostly on hydroelectric power. 

Myanmar needs more than 300 mega-watts of electricity during the annual dry season.

The government has increased the construction of natural gas-fired power plants recently, and for good reason: Myanmar needs 15 per cent more electricity per year, due to the increasing rate of consumption.

“The government has constructed hydroelectric power projects for the rainy season, but in the dry season hydropower plants can’t produce electricity in full capacity,” said Aung Khine, Chairman of Yangon City Electricity Supply Board.

“We are constructing more natural gas-fired power plants to run 24 hours a day. Nowadays, local and overseas businessmen are cooperating with us to invest in the electricity-generating sector. Currently, we expect that Myanmar needs electricity varied at between 1,850 mega-watts and 1,900 mega-watts. In the coming years, we will need more electricity to fulfil the requirement.”

source: Eleven Myanmar

http://elevenmyanmar.com/business/3425-more-natural-gas-power-plants-on-the-way-to-meet-dry-season-demand-says-esb